February 25, Colombo (LNW): A crucial meeting is set to take place next Thursday between President Anura Kumara Dissanayake and representatives from the Government Medical Officers’ Association (GMOA).
The discussion is expected to centre on the recent budgetary cuts that have significantly impacted doctors’ allowances and their leave entitlements.
According to Dr. Chamil Wijesinghe, the media spokesperson for the GMOA, the new budget has introduced sweeping changes that have reduced several key allowances for medical professionals, which has raised serious concerns within the medical community.
These cuts, he explained, directly affect the operational aspects of healthcare services, particularly after-hours care, and could have a detrimental impact on the overall quality of medical services in Sri Lanka.
Dr. Wijesinghe emphasised that if doctors are not adequately compensated for their work beyond regular hours, it would be impossible to maintain essential medical services in the country, particularly after 4 p.m.
He also pointed out that the current remuneration for doctors is already insufficient, with many practitioners working under increasingly difficult conditions.
The spokesperson further added that these financial reductions are demotivating for doctors and risk undermining the morale of the medical workforce.
Such measures, he argued, send a negative message to healthcare professionals who are already struggling with long hours and high levels of responsibility.
Additionally, Dr. Wijesinghe highlighted that the reduction in allowances effectively nullifies the impact of the basic salary increase proposed for doctors in the 2025 budget.
Whilst the increase was intended to address some of the financial concerns within the medical sector, the cuts to allowances have diminished its potential benefits, leaving many doctors feeling disillusioned.
