50,000 health workers on token strike

By Rathindra Kuruwita

Sixteen health sector trade unions commenced a 24-hour token strike yesterday over some longstanding grievances and complaining of the Health Secretary’s bias towards doctors. The strike commenced at 7 am yesterday.

College of Medical Laboratory Science (CMLS) President, Ravi Kumudesh told The Island that the Secretary to the Ministry of Health only cared about the issues faced by doctors.

About 50,000 health workers from 15 service categories were taking part in the strike, he said.

However, hospitals treating COVID-19 patients, Lady Ridgeway Hospital for Children, the Castle Street Hospital for Women, the Apeksha Hospital, Maharagama, and several other special hospitals are not affected by the strike.

“The health sector is in crisis. There are many unnecessary expenses, while essential services are being scrapped. We have made a number of demands including the rectification of anomalies related to promotions in the nursing service, complementary medical services, and paramedical services,” Kumudesh said.