Hospital services in dire straits as strike continues

14 February 2024 03:47 pm Views - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}} 7 Bookmark

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Colombo, Feb 14 (Daily Mirror) - The healthcare services across the country have been paralyzed, inconveniencing patients as trade unions within the health sector have decided to continue the island-wide strike.

Furthermore, long queues can be seen at nationwide pharmacies owned by the State Pharmaceuticals Corporation since this morning as medications are not being dispensed from the medicine counters at government hospitals.

The strike, which commenced from 6.30 a.m. yesterday (13) was launched following unsuccessful discussions with officials from the Finance Ministry.

The focal point of the strike action is the prolonged and contentious disagreement surrounding the Disturbance, Availability and Transport (DAT) allowance, according to the President of the Federation of Health Professionals Ravi Kumudesh.

The health workers have so far resorted to three trade union actions this year over the failure to provide an allowance similar to the DAT allowance granted to the doctors.

However, in response to strike action, the Sri Lanka Army has deployed troops at government hospitals to support operational activities.

Comments - 7

Ruwan Wednesday, 14 February 2024 04:32 PM

Just because they can hold patients as hostages, doesn't mean they deserve all allowances

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DancingInTheRain Wednesday, 14 February 2024 05:05 PM

What has that so called director general got to say?

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We pay Taxes to Get nothing in the end. Wednesday, 14 February 2024 05:18 PM

This culture of Trade Union action in a country with a massively over staffed and under performing government sector has to be stopped. Even teachers who are supposed to be doing a vocation and should set an example to others ends up on the streets for TU action. There must be a more citizen friendly way to win demands.

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Lakshman Maddumahewa Wednesday, 14 February 2024 06:05 PM

If like Minister kanchana ,,Minister of health the bloody strike dragged much longer. Present Minister to soft handle this madness.

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AJ Wednesday, 14 February 2024 06:12 PM

Mr.president, why you unnecessary spending taxpayers money on useless director-general on trade unions, if he cannot find a solution to strike of health workers,which is also his known area,if he cannot fire him

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Terrence K Thursday, 15 February 2024 07:21 AM

These Unions have created chaos to the smooth functioning of hospitals and govt pharmacies. By trade Union action it has impacted on the patients who come from far away places and the govt should implement disciplinary action by making a pay cut from the employees salaries and wherever it finds that members are instigating this action they should be served vacation of post and under no circumstances reinstated. What a nonsense when lower grades are trying to equalize themselves with the professional doctors on the Disturbance allowance when they were given a salary increase of Rs. 10,000/- where the initial payment of Rs.5000/- was made in January. When only some nurses and attendants are dedicated to the normal work schedule the others are fudging. Visit the hospitals and you will find outside care workers attending to the needs of the patients at a price, whilst some of the nurses and attendants are gossiping giving first place to family affairs!!!!!!!

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Banda Friday, 16 February 2024 02:53 AM

Enough is enough. We don't want to see these trade union strikes anymore. They have to understand and thanks to them; we are a bankrupt nation now.Fire them all. They don't need to work anymore. Patients, as tax payers, and those who pay them as a country, have rights too. Sack them all and recruit capable, young, knowledgeable workers immediately. Send them home.

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