GMOA says ExCo to decide on continuing strike tomorrow

The Government Medical Officers’ Association (GMOA) announced that its Executive Council will decide tomorrow whether to continue the ongoing strike. The GMOA has given Health Minister Dr. Nalinda Jayatissa until 8:00 a.m. tomorrow (June 6) to talk about ending the doctors' strike. The association claims the minister is hesitant to address important issues, which is why the strike is still going on. Dr. Prabath Sugathadasa, the GMOA Secretary, stated that their group is prepared to make decisions about the strike based on the minister's response. He emphasized that patients seeking care are suffering due to the minister's inaction. Dr. Sugathadasa mentioned, “We have already told the Health Minister not to inconvenience these patients. The patients are unable to receive medical care services because the Health Minister is reluctant to take decisions. If he decides now that he is ready to come to the negotiating table, we can decide from that moment on whether to withdraw from the trade union action. If he delays in making decisions, the consequences will be that the patients of this country will be harmed.” He added that they have also notified the President about the need for action. If the minister agrees to intervene by 8:00 a.m., the Executive Council can decide whether to end the strike tomorrow morning. The GMOA's strike began in response to the Health Minister’s alleged interference in the politicization of the post-internship appointment list and the doctors’ transfer list. As a result, patients seeking treatment at public hospitals and health facilities across Sri Lanka, including Colombo National Hospital, are facing significant challenges.