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| Monday, 3 November 2003 |
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by Bharatha Malawaraarachchi The crisis at the Karapitiya Cardio-thoracic unit has further worsened with no solution in sight as trade unions remained daggers drawn against each other, causing severe hardships to patients with heart ailments. Karapitiya Hospital Director Dr. P. Wijewickrema said the problem remains unsolved as a group of six nurses attached to the unit are still refusing to withdraw from the unit defying the orders of the Director General of Health Services. "They have refused to withdraw from the unit and are remaining there violating the disciplinary code," the Director told the Daily News yesterday. Unconfirmed reports said that nearly 20 children with heart problems may have died due to the crisis over the last two months - some at hospitals and others at their homes due to the non-functioning of this unit. "Life saving emergency operations are still carried out", Dr. Wijewickrema said. The Health Ministry appointed six new nurses who received their first appointment to the Karapitiya Hospital to resolve the crisis at the unit. "We have decided to appoint a fresh batch of nurses and give them training to effectively operate this unit," Director General of Health Services Dr. Athula Kahandaliyange said. However, the Hospital Director said the six nurses are still remaining there, without adhering the Director General's instructions. "I have already called explanation from them and at the same time made arrangements to appoint new seven nurses on Director General's instructions, he said. This unit has been facing a crisis over the last few weeks after the appointment of a new group of nurses. The Public Services United Nurses' Union (PSUNU) claimed that these appointments had been made in an irregular manner. "Our union members have extended full support to conduct this unit in a successful manner. We are ready to extend our support if these six nurses are removed," PSUNA President Ven. Muruttetuwe Ananda said. Meanwhile, the Government Nurses Officers Association said they would protest against the Director General's decision. "These nurses were selected after an interview and the posts were earlier advertised. We will protest against the Director General's decision as it has violated the professional rights of these nurses," Association President Saman Rathnapriya said. He said a protest march from Galle to Karapitiya will be held on November 4 with the support of civil and social organisations, against the Director General's decision to remove the earlier appointed nurses. Already, the Cardio-thoracic Unit head Dr. Namal Gamage had kept away from operations or accepting new patients claiming that the decision to remove the newly appointed nurses was unjustifiable. Meanwhile reports stated that the unit had suffered another blow after a severe infection spread by Methicillin Resistant Sterptycocus Aureus (MRSA), causing the temporary suspension of all operations. However, a senior consultant at the hospital said the infection was not critical and such viruses are usually found to close operation theatres for a few days in any other hospital. "The situation has been brought under control and operations can be handled without any problem," he added. Earlier, Ven. Ananda Thera claimed that this dispute had been created by several persons including medical officers and some union members at the hospital. "We are concerned about the patients and we will do our best to safeguard and provide treatment to the patients. We are ready to resume work if these six nurses are removed from this unit and a new batch is appointed." The Thera said there were no deaths due to this dispute. |
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