The Government Medical Officers’ Association (GMOA) has announced that it will commence continuous trade union action starting at 8.00 a.m. today (26).
Dr. Chamil Wijesinghe, the media spokesperson for the association, stated that the strike will be implemented through five specific trade union measures:
Prescriptions: Doctors will not issue prescriptions for medicines that are unavailable in clinics and outpatient treatment units to be purchased from outside pharmacies.
Laboratory Tests: Doctors will not provide prescriptions or recommendations for laboratory tests unavailable within the hospital system to be conducted at external laboratories or private hospitals.
New Units: The initiation of new units within the hospital system will not be supported if the approved number of doctors is not provided.
Political Clinics and Health Camps: Certain clinics and health camps conducted for political purposes or political needs will not receive support.
Assistant Officers: If a doctor is not provided with an assistant officer to help examine patients in hospitals, clinics, and outpatient treatment units, the doctor will resign from their duties at those locations.
Dr. Wijesinghe emphasized that these measures are not intended to disrupt healthcare unnecessarily, but are aimed at ensuring doctors can work in a safe and functional environment.
He further stated, “From tomorrow, we will continue to work, but only within conditions that allow us to perform our duties effectively. If necessary facilities are not provided, this free health service may collapse. The Ministry of Health, the Minister of Health, and the government must be prepared to take responsibility for this from tomorrow.”
In addition, Dr. Wijesinghe announced that a central committee of the GMOA will convene on Wednesday, January 28, to decide on further trade union measures. He warned, “This continuous trade union action will escalate day by day. If the health system or patient care services collapse due to these actions, the full responsibility will lie with the Health Ministry, the Minister, and the government.”
