Doctor transfers : GMOA to launch TU action on Monday

August 21, 2025 at 5:36 PM

The Government Medical Officers’ Association (GMOA) has announced it will launch a trade union action from Monday (25 Aug) in protest against alleged irregularities in the transfer of doctors by the Health Ministry.

In a statement, the GMOA accused ministry officials of ignoring the Health Minister’s directives and acting arbitrarily in preparing annual transfer lists, including post-intern and difficult service placements. 

The union said nearly 10,000 doctors have been left without proper placements, while 134 difficult service posts have been removed without approval.

The GMOA said it had temporarily suspended earlier trade union action after the Health Minister agreed to rectify the process, but ministry officials had failed to implement the agreed decisions. 

Emergency branch meetings will be held tomorrow, with the central committee scheduled to convene in Colombo on Monday to decide further steps, the GMOA added. (Newswire)