PHIs slam Govt.’s move to vaccinate only relatives of GMOA members

25 May 2021 12:00 am Views - 121

By Sheain Fernandopulle   

The Public Health Inspectors’ Union yesterday showed their dismay over the decision by the Health Ministry to vaccinate relatives of Government Medical Officer’s Association (GMOA) members ignoring other health workers, who also face the same risk in the fight against COVID-19. 

PHIs Union Head Upul Rohana told the Daily Mirror that it is absolutely important to vaccinate the family members of other officials such as nurses, paramedics, junior staff members and all other members linked to health sector.  
 “The Health Ministry on Sunday made arrangements to vaccinate five relatives of each GMOA member at 20 MOH offices in the Western Province. They were vaccinated yesterday,” he said.  


“Accordingly, we have decided to withdraw from all services at these MOH offices in a bid to show our protest,” he stressed. The PHIs head said they were of the opinion that priority should be given to vaccinate all the professionals, who are directly exposed to the fight against COVID-19 rather than vaccinating the relatives of medical officers.