GMOA doctors launch strike in five districts

The Government Medical Officers’ Association (GMOA) has launched a 24-hour strike from 8.00 a.m. this morning (20) at all hospitals and medical institutions in 05 districts in the island. 

The association said that the strike will be carried out in Mannar, Trincomalee, Ratnapura, Nuwara-Eliya and Polonnaruwa districts.

The one-day strike has been launched protesting against the role of the Secretary to the Ministry of Health in granting post internship appointments. 

Speaking further on this, GMOA central committee member Dr. Senal Fernando stated that there is a difficulty in maintaining medical treatment in these districts and that there would be a breakdown at the Covid-19 treatment centers.

He said that they have continuously briefed the government of this issue and that even the President and the Prime Minister have been informed of the situation. 

Dr. Fernando stated that there is still time to rectify the issue and that they request the government to intervene if it seeks to rectify the issue.

He said it is due to the arbitrary actions of the Health Secretary that the patients would have to suffer and not because of the doctors’ strike.