• Healthcare services across the country have been hampered causing hindrance to patients
• Discussions held between the representatives of trade unions and Health Ministry officials have also ended with no solution
• The strike does not hamper services at Cancer, women's and children's hospitals, and the Central Blood Bank

By Sheain Fernandopulle 

Despite Govt. Nursing Officers' Association withdrawing from ongoing strike action by health workers, 17 other trade unions continue the TU action for the eighth consecutive day.

The Govt. Nursing Officers' Association decided to temporarily call off Trade Union (TU) action over the weekend due to the enjoining order issued by the Colombo District Court recently.
However, healthcare services across the country have been hampered causing hindrance to patients.
Patients who visited hospitals seeking medical treatment even cursed those involved in TU action as they were turned away.

As a result of the strike, clinics, dispensaries, blood tests, COVID-19 testing came to a standstill at government hospitals. However, the strike does not hamper services at Cancer, women's and Children's hospitals, and the Central Blood Bank.

The discussions held between the representatives of trade unions and Health Ministry officials have also ended with no solution.

The Government health workers resorted to an indefinite trade union action from 7.00 am on Monday (07) over the government's failure to address their seven grievances.