The Association of Medical Specialists have released a statement addressed to the Minister of Health detailing the difficulties faced by Medical Specialists in the Island due to the ongoing fuel crisis and has mentioned some suggestions which the association says would help curb the matter. The statement was released today (26). "Association of Medical Specialists at its AGM held on 24th April 2022 discussed all the possible ways of providing specialist healthcare services throughout the island amidst fuel crisis and decided to convey following suggestions and possible consequences for your urgent attention," the statement read. Accordingly, the association mentioned the below mentioned suggestions: 1. As medical specialists we are very much aware and equally concerned about our ethical and moral responsibilities to save life and minimise inconvenience to the general public when discharging our duties. Our membership is quite aware of the need to go beyond our comfort zones when the need arises in providing health care to our patients. We are ever prepared to dedicate to deed. The AMS feels that since it's our moral responsibility, we should not look at the situation in terms of "our trade union rights" at this difficult time. 2. If any medical specialist is unable to travel to his/ her workplace due to lack of fuel, the specialist concerned will inform the hospital about it. In such situations as he/she has no other option, the clinical management by this specialist will be limited to online/ telephone advice. 3. In the event that it is essential for the Specialist to be present physically (ex: carry out a surgical procedure) and he / she is still unable to find a mode of transport due to reasons beyond his/ her control, please take steps to arrange an intervention of the relevant specialist in the nearest possible hospital. Sometimes, the hospital will have to arrange transferring of the patient to the nearest hospital where specialist is available. 4. Even in places where fuel is available but can only be obtained by being in a queue for several hours, the specialist may have to be in a queue for hours to get fuel during duty hours on the way to the hospital. 5. Please inform the general public well in advance through the Ministry of health about possible shortcomings in the healthcare delivery, specially in Peripheral stations where some medical specialists travel more than 300 km from their residence to the work place. The statement further mentioned that the intention of the AMS was solely to make the Minister of Health and the officials aware about possible consequences of the fuel crisis, since it was very likely that it will escalate further in time to come. "We would like to reassure you that all our members will take all the possible steps to provide specialist medical care throughout the island despite all the hardships we face which are beyond our control, to the best of their ability," the statement concluded.