Peradeniya Paramedical Faculty:

GMOA concerned about facilities

Harshini PERERA

Doctors of the GMOA staged a strike yesterday at the Peradeniya, Matale, Gampola and Kegalle hospitals to protest against poor facilities at the Paramedical Faculty of the Peradeniya University. However the doctors said that emergency services will be performed such as treatment to IDPs and military officers.

The GMOA would continue the strike, if the authorities fail to address the situation by Monday.

Though the Paramedical Faculty in the Peradeniya University was started in 2006, a proper curriculum has not yet been devised according to the requirements prevailing in the present field of medicine. They have no basic infrastructure facilities nor lecturers to instruct the paramedics. Going into details, Assistant Secretary of GMOA, Dr. Upul Gunasekara said there were concerns that the poor quality of the paramedics produced at the faculty could harm the patients.

He further said "no action was being taken to categorise them during their service period as to which grade they may fall or what the salary they would be getting. There are 600 students studying under the Paramedical Faculty.

"But those who design the study course are those who serve as Government officers in State institutes. They work in the University while being in other professions" Dr. Gunasekera said.