GMOA token strike an act of sabotage, says Health Ministry

21 December 2021 12:00 am Views - 119

By Sheain Fernandopulle 

Referring to the token strike carried out by the GMOA yesterday (20) in five districts over the arbitrary move of the Secretary to the Ministry of Health, the Health Ministry said it was a mere act of sabotage. 

Doctors attached to the GMOA launched a 24-hour token strike starting from 8.00 am yesterday in five districts such as Mannar, Trincomalee, Nuwara Eliya, Ratnapura and Polonnaruwa Districts against the alleged arbitrary move by Secretary to the Ministry of Health to grant post-internship appointments.


Replying to the allegations, Deputy Director-General of Health Ministry (Medical Services) Dr. G. Wijesuriya said no issue had taken place in the appointments of doctors to hospitals.


“Neither the Health Minister nor the Secretary to the Ministry can exert any influence on the internship appointments. It is purely based on vacancy list and service requirements,” Dr. Wijesuriya pointed out.
“A medical officer representing the GMOA has also recently signed the vacancy list based on which appointments have been made,” he added.


“Thus, Dr. Wijesuriya said, it is apparent that the strike by the doctors is merely an act of sabotage.