• Emergency services at all hospitals have not been disrupted during the time of the strike

By Sheain Fernandopulle   

The medical services except emergency services across the country were hampered due to the strike action launched by the Government Medical Officers’ Association yesterday.  

Patients who had arrived at hospitals seeking medical treatment were highly inconvenienced and were turned away.  

People were complaining  why they were being targeted in order to win demands, whereas it should have been dealt with Government officials.  

Meanwhile, GMOA Assistant Secretary Dr. Samantha Ananda told Daily Mirror that they would continue the strike today (22) as well, as they had not yet received any concrete and satisfactory response from the Health Ministry.  
They resorted to a trade union action over several demands and against the arbitrary move by Secretary to the Ministry of Health to grant post internship appointments. 

 
However, emergency services at all hospitals have not been disrupted during the time of the strike, while the strike does not affect the functions at maternity hospitals, children’s hospitals and Cancer Hospital, Maharagama.  
Meanwhile, Director General of Health Ministry (Medical Services) Dr. G. Wijesuriya said no fault had taken place from their side as the internship appointments had been made based on merit order in a transparent manner.