January 26, LNW (Colombo): The Government Medical Officers’ Association (GMOA) announced yesterday that it will begin continuous trade union action from 8.00 a.m. today (26), citing critical shortcomings in facilities and staffing across the state health sector.
Speaking to the media, GMOA Media Spokesperson Dr. Chamil Wijesinghe said the action will be implemented through five specific measures, while doctors continue to provide services within the limits of available resources.
Under the action, doctors will not issue prescriptions for medicines that are unavailable at hospital clinics or outpatient departments and would otherwise need to be purchased from external pharmacies. Similarly, they will refrain from issuing prescriptions or recommendations for laboratory tests that are not available within the hospital system to be carried out at private laboratories or private hospitals.
The GMOA also stated that it will not support the establishment of new hospital units unless the approved number of doctors has been sanctioned and provided. In addition, the association will withdraw its support from certain clinics and health camps conducted for political purposes.
Dr. Wijesinghe further explained that doctors will withdraw from duties at hospitals, clinics, or outpatient departments if assistant officers required to support patient examinations are not provided.
Emphasising that this does not amount to a complete strike, Dr. Wijesinghe said doctors will continue to work, but only under conditions where essential facilities and support are available. He warned that a continued lack of resources could lead to the collapse of the free health service, placing responsibility on the Ministry of Health, the Health Minister, and the government.
He also announced that the GMOA Central Committee will meet on Wednesday, January 28, to determine future trade union action. The GMOA cautioned that the current action could be intensified and stressed that responsibility for any disruption to patient care would rest with health authorities and the government.
