By: Isuru Parakrama
November 05, Colombo (LNW): The indefinite strike initiated by medical staff at Karapitiya Hospital has been officially called off as of 8:00 a.m. today (05), following decisive action by hospital authorities.
The protest, which had gained traction in response to allegations of misconduct by a specialist within the oncology department, concluded after the decision was made to transfer the controversial doctor to the Maharagama Apeksha Hospital.
This latest strike was a continuation of earlier protests, including a token strike, during which doctors expressed their dissatisfaction over the management’s failure to address their concerns regarding the specialist’s conduct.
Frustration had been mounting among the medical professionals, who felt their grievances were being ignored, leading to an escalation in their demands for accountability.
Dr. Asanka Konara, Co-Secretary of the Government Medical Officers’ Association (GMOA), articulated the motivations behind the protest, emphasising that the aim was to compel authorities to take action regarding long-standing issues associated with the specialist’s behaviour.
“Despite our previous efforts and demonstrations, including token strikes, we had not seen any substantial resolution. Our members felt compelled to escalate their actions to ensure their voices were heard,” he stated.
In the aftermath of the strike, medical staff are now returning to their duties, with the expectation that the administration will take further steps to address systemic issues within the hospital.
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