Doctor’s token strike makes OPD, clinical services ‘sick’

Nimal Wijesinghe, Anuradhapura additional district group correspondent

All OPD treatment and the clinical services were at a standstill due to the second token strike launched this week, demanding the removal of the Hospital Director. The token strike was launched yesterday.

Government Medical Officers Association (GMOA) secretary of the Anuradhapura Teaching Hospital branch Dr. Sampath told the Daily News they would continue the trade union action if the Health Ministry fails to address their demand.

In the meantime, a special investigation team of the Ministry headed by Dr. W. M. B. Wijekoon with Ministry Flying Squad’s Assistant Secretary Sudath Rathnaweera and several officials are investigating several issues which led to the row between the hospital administration and the doctors of the GMOA since October 23.

When inquired, Director of the Hospital Dr. Sarath Weerabandara said he has not been informed about any token strike by the organisers and he had information that a small group of doctors has launched a strike.

A spokesman of the GMOA branch Anuradhapura Teaching Hospital told that the token strike was successful and all the doctors joined it.

Official appointed to supervise A’pura Hospital administration

Arrangements have been made to resolve problems at the Anuradhapura Hospital, the Health Ministry stated.

Dr. W.M. Wijekoon, former planning director of the Ministry, a very senior officer in the medical administrative service has been appointed to supervise the administration of the Anuradhapura hospital.

An officer of the Special Investigation Unit of the Ministry has been detailed to look into complaints made on the current situation at the hospital.

All steps have been taken to ensure the normal functioning of the hospital for which the striking doctors would extend their cooperation, Deputy Director General, Dr. Wimal Jayantha said.