Doctors to withdraw from VIP health security services: GMOA

• Decision made in protest of government’s failure to retain medical officers who are expecting to go abroad 

By Sheain Fernandopulle  

The Government Medical Officers’ Association (GMOA) has decided to withdraw from mobile ambulance services for VIP health security operations from November 01 until further notice.  
This comes in the wake of a series of trade union actions announced by the GMOA in protest of the government’s failure to take feasible measures to retain medical officers who are expecting to go abroad.  Issuing a news release, the GMOA stressed that the Health Ministry seems to be turning a blind eye to the pressing issue of brain drain.  

Accordingly, the GMOA has decided to withdraw from other non-related duty activities, including planned mobile clinics outside of hospital duties, until further notice.  
In addition, the GMOA will begin a provincial-level trade union action after November 1 to protest the authorities’ inadequate response to the implementation of its proposed solutions submitted earlier.  

The GMOA earlier handed over an eight-step proposal on brain drain, health crisis and matters affecting doctors to the President.