GMOA warns of breakdown in peripheral services

by Bharatha Malawaraarachchi

The Government Medical Officers Association(GMOA) yesterday warned of a breakdown in the health service in the peripheries unless the Health Ministry takes urgent steps to give effect to the new appointment list of medical officers.

"The cancellations of these appointments have created severe problems in the health sector especially in the peripheries and this has affected the normal transfer procedure of medical officers," GMOA Secretary Dr. Uditha Herath told the media yesterday.

However, the Healthcare and Nutrition Ministry rejected this position of the GMOA."The Ministry denies these statements.We will hold a press briefing to educate the media and the public on this matter." a Ministry spokesman told the Daily News.

President of the GMOA Dr. Kumar Weerasekara explained that the granting of appointments to 750 new recruits(Medical Officers) who had completed internship training has already been delayed by six months."This is due to a sudden decision by the Secretary of the Health Ministry to suspend the appointments list with immediate effect."

He noted that there are over 500 Medical Officers in this batch to be appointed to the North Central, Uva, Sabaragamuwa, North- East provinces and also Hambantota district."The cancelation of these appointments has prevented doctors from taking up posts. Already these areas are facing a shortage of doctors and the cancellation has further worsened this situation."

Dr. Herath alleged that some medical officers with vested interests are behind the cancellation of appointments.

He also charged that there was an underhand move to appoint some new medical officers to the Colombo district."GOMA view this as a gross injustice to doctors who are already working in remote stations."

Dr. Herath explained that doctors' transfers are made on seniority and merit lists."As a result, we have been able to appoint medical officers to all the areas without any disputes unlike in other categories in the Government service. Doctors are also allowed transfers every four years and those serving in the North-East after one and two years ."

He said the delay of appointments had created hardships for doctors already serving in distant hospitals. "They are even unable to take leave due to shortage of doctors. If this continues, we have no alternative but to get them down to Colombo after vacating their posts."

The GMOA appeals to the Public Service Commission(PSC) to intervene in this matter and prevent this injustice.