GMOA boycotts meeting

by Bharatha Malawaraarachchi

A meeting called by the Healthcare and Nutrition Ministry to settle the delayed internship appointments issue, with the participation of all relevant parties failed to get off the ground yesterday as the Government Medical Officers Association (GMOA) kept away.

As soon as the discussion began, the GMOA's Secretary Dr. Anuruddha Padeniya had informed Healthcare and Nutrition Minister Nimal Siripala de Silva that the GMOA would not take part in the discussion, a Ministry spokesman told the Daily News.

"The Minister requested Dr. Padeniya to attend the discussion as it should have the support and cooperation of all the relevant parties accordingly, the Minister waited till 12.00 noon for the arrival of GMOA representatives. But they did not turn up for the meeting." added the spokesman.

Minister de Silva had explained to others present that this issue could not be solved without considering the suggestions of the GMOA as it would lead to a crisis in the health sector.

However, GMOA in a press release issued yesterday said Dr. T. G. de Silva who is in charge at the Health Department has not proposed any action plan to settle the recruiting problem.

"Besides, Dr. T. G. de Silva had not taken any steps to discuss this matter with the University Grants Commission or other relevant parties to finalise a joint proposals to the courts." says Dr. Padeniya, Secretary of the GMOA.

At the meeting, the Minister had explained to the students' union representatives that this problem is due to the struggle between the Medical Faculties in different universities to carry out their dominance.

"However, it is the general public of this country who become the victims due to this battle." noted the Minister.

The Minister said the present system of giving appointments was unjustifiable as it is based on the marks achieved at the final examination. He requested the medical students to extend the support to the Government to prepare a new system which could provide the services of good doctors to the general public. He lamented the absence of the GMOA at this crucial meeting which was convened to resolve a major issue faced by the medical students. He explained that his Ministry was not responsible for the delay in the granting of these appointments.

Minister de Silva stressed that the public are forced to undergo difficulties due to the failure of the medical students to resolve their problems amicably.

He also urged civil society to extend their support to the proposed policy decisions to be taken by the Health Ministry to change the country's health sector for the better. In their release, the GMOA further states:

We understand that Dr. T. G. de Silva who is the person in charge has not proposed any action plan to settle this problem. The Dr. T. G. de Silva had not taken any steps to discuss this matter with the University Grants Commission or other relevant parties to finalise a joint proposal to the courts. We understand that Dr. T. G. de Silva is the Ex-Officio representative at the UGC from the Ministry of Health.

The GMOA concerns that the Internship appointments cannot be given due to this delay. Dr. T. G. de Silva's lack of foresight and inefficiency had already compounded the inherent inertia of the legal system.

The final result is a systematic deterioration of peripheral health care delivery.

The GMOA had raised concerns of this situation long before the crisis became critical. It is still not too late in the day for the Ministry to propose a action plan. The GMOA will be willing to mediate between the affected parties and the relevant authorities to settle this matter, the release said.