The Government Medical Officers’ Association (GMOA) has temporarily suspended the island-wide strike scheduled to begin at 8 a.m. today, Oct. 31.
In a statement, the GMOA said the decision followed a special discussion held on Oct. 30 with Health Minister Dr. Nalinda Jayatissa, Director General of Health Services, and GMOA representatives.
The association said an agreement was reached to halt the Ministry of Health’s previously planned doctor transfers, which the GMOA claimed violated established procedures. Instead, the transfers will follow the accepted methodology within a specified timeframe.
These agreements are expected to be confirmed during a meeting with administrative doctors at the Health Ministry scheduled for later today.
“During a special discussion held last night between Health Minister Dr. Nalinda Jayatissa (who participated via telephone), the Director General of Health Services, and the Government Medical Officers’ Association (GMOA), it was agreed to suspend the doctor transfers that the Ministry of Health had attempted to implement unilaterally, in violation of the accepted procedure. Instead, the transfers will be carried out within a specified timeframe, following the established methodology,” the statement said.
The GMOA said the strike suspension will continue until 12 noon today, pending written confirmation of the agreements. It warned that the strike could resume at any time if the agreements are not upheld. (Newswire)