Healthcare services grind to a halt as strike continues

By Sheain Fernandopulle   

The widespread health strike gripping government hospitals across seven provinces has left patients facing significant disruptions in medical services.   

Initiated on May 9th, the strike has now reached a critical juncture, impacting hospitals in the Central Province yesterday and set to affect those in the Sabaragamuwa Province today. 

The Health Trade Union Alliance, spearheading the strike, has voiced their intent to expand the protest to additional provinces if their demands are not addressed promptly.   

At the core of the dispute are grievances over inadequate allowances, particularly affecting a diverse array of health professionals such as radiology and laboratory technicians, pharmacists, midwives, dental surgeons, public health inspectors, and entomology officers.   

Tensions escalated following a recent Cabinet decision, under the leadership of President Ranil Wickremesinghe, to double the Doctor’s Annual Training (DAT) allowance exclusively for government doctors, raising it from Rs. 35,000 to Rs. 70,000.