By Newswire Editorial

The Government Nursing Officers’ Association (GNOA) has warned of stronger trade union action if authorities fail to address a shortage of approximately 120 nursing officers at the Gampaha District General Hospital.

According to the association, nursing officers staged a one-hour protest at the hospital today (13), from 11.00 a.m. to 12.00 noon, demanding immediate measures to address the shortage, which has affected patient care services.

GNOA President Saman Rathnapriya said the hospital currently has approximately 370 nursing officers, with an additional 120 required to maintain services.

He claimed that the shortage has forced individual nursing officers to undertake the workload of three nurses, placing them under severe physical and mental strain.

The association said it had repeatedly informed provincial health authorities about the issue but had yet to receive an adequate solution.

In a letter addressed to the Western Provincial Secretary of Health, the GNOA called for the vacancies to be filled urgently through new appointments or transfers.

Following today’s protest, the association reiterated that it would resort to stronger trade union action in the coming days if the authorities failed to take immediate steps to resolve the shortage. (Newswire)