Docs on strike.

The Government Medical Officers’ Association (GMOA) is scheduled to conduct a one-day strike today (25) to pressure the government to meet four of its demands including taking action against those responsible for the attempted abduction of a student leader in Colombo late last week.

Addressing the media at the GMOA Office in Colombo, Ex-Co member Dr Chandana Dharmaratne said the union had given the government adequate time to initiate a proper investigation into the attempted abduction of Medical Faculty Students’ Action Committee Convener, Ryan Jayalath and bring those responsible to justice. The government had come to power pledging to end the white van culture, he said. Following last week’s attempted abduction however it had to be given an assurance that such incidents would not recur, he said.

Dr. Dharmaratne said the GMOA’s main demands included the gazetting the minimum standards of medical education, a person who was acceptable to all concerned be appointed as the next chairman of the Sri Lanka Medical Council (SLMC), preventing the South Asian Institute of Technology and Medicine (SAITM) from awarding degrees and enrolling students.

Women and Childcare hospitals, the ‘Apeksha’ Institute for patients with cancer and cancer units, renal care units, dengue care and emergency care services would be exempted.

GMOA Media Spokesman, Dr Samantha Ananda said the People’s Action Against SAITM (SAITM Virodee Janatha Paura) would hold its National Conference and protest march today (25) at 3.00 pm.

GMOA Assistant Secretary Dr Naveen D Zoysa said that the GMOA was ready to call off the strike even at a short notice if the government was ready to hold discussions with it and resolve the issues.