Magistrate orders nursing staff to resume work

Chaminda Perera

Kandy Chief Magistrate Sumudu Premachandra yesterday ordered the Peradeniya Teaching Hospital nursing staff to resume their duties immediately as he was convinced that the patients are affected by the recent incidents at the hospital.

The Magistrate made these comments when a B'report filed by the Peradeniya Police OIC was taken up at the Kandy Magistrates Court yesterday.

The OIC through his report sought a court order to prevent the public being affected by these incidents and ensure a better health service is maintained.

The court had issued notices on Hospital Director Dr. C. Gunathilaka, Deputy Director and six other doctors. Notices were also issued on four employees attached to the administration section and twenty nurses.

The Magistrate made this order which is effective for 14 days to prevent the patients being affected as doctors and administrative staff are reporting for the duty

The Magistrate said those who fail to report for duty can be dealt with under the Penal Code.

The nurses and doctors including the Hospital Director were kept under Rs. 5000 bondage. The Magistrate also directed the Peradeniya police to charge the suspects separately if any of the parties are involved in damaging public properties, detaining persons illegally and causing injuries.

The case was put off for February 13

Government Medical Association Executive Committee member Dr. Nandana Jayathilaka on Monday said certain nurses engaged in the strike at the Peradeniya Teaching Hospital forcibly entered the Children's ward ICU and detached a life support system of a child and left.

He said the child's condition worsened after this incident. Meanwhile Health Ministry Secretary Dr. Athula Kahandaliyanage yesterday said maximum punishment will be meted out those responsible for removing the life support of this child.