Health sector professionals are to stage a protest march today (11) in front of the Colombo National Hospital, demanding solutions for the issues that have persisted in the health sector for years, the Government Medical Officers' Association (GMOA) said.
Speaking at a press conference yesterday (10), the GMOA General Secretary Dr. Haritha Aluthge said that this protest march will commence in front of the Colombo National Hospital while thousands of doctors working within the Western Province will join it during the lunch hour while doctors from other provinces simultaneously demonstrate their protest at their workplaces.
The GMOA also said that they will not go for a strike or any other trade union action which would cause inconvenience to the general public, but that the Government should take immediate actions to solve their issues. The GMOA also blamed the Parliamentary Opposition for not pressurising the Government to address these issues even though both the ruling faction and the Opposition debate on unnecessary matters in Parliament.
Dr. Aluthge noted that this would be the last time that they allow a time space for the Government to take measures in this regard and that they hope to take strict actions unless those in governance listen to the voice of medical professionals.
The medical professionals have constantly been demanding a reversal of the Government’s decision that selected professionals, including doctors, engineers, accountants, and lawyers, who provide services as “independent service providers” should pay a 5% Withholding Tax, according to the new tax system now in operation. This decision was criticised by many parties claiming that it is unreasonable to impose such a tax in the midst of a critical economic crisis. Apart from those issues, the shortage of drugs and medical equipment, the emergency purchasing of drugs (which has since been halted, according to the Government) and the Government’s efforts in privatising medical education have fuelled the situation.
Several attempts made to contact the Health Ministry’s Secretary Janaka Sri Chandraguptha proved futile.