Govt. failure to rectify injustice caused by Rajitha, wife: GMOA threatens strike

Having suspended its countrywide strike, launched over issues related to transfers of its members, the Government Medical Officers’ Association (GMOA) yesterday (28) warned of another strike over what it called inordinate delay in the incumbent government rectifying serious problems caused by former Health Minister Dr. Rajitha Senaratne and his wife Dr. Sujatha Senaratne, during the yahapalana administration.

Dr. Senal Fernando, in his capacity as the Secretary of the GMOA, issued the warning.

The GMOA alleged that the incumbent government had failed to address the grievances of those who were deprived of an opportunity to join the Administrative Medical Officers category due to amendments introduced to the Medical Services Minute by Dr. Senaratne by way of a Cabinet paper.

The GMOA claimed that the amendments introduced by the previous government had adversely impacted Administrative Medical Officers as they were divided into two sections.

Alleging a spate of violations since then, the GMOA questioned the failure on the part of the current dispensation, to appoint a Chairperson to an independent committee, approved by the Cabinet of Ministers. The GMOA further alleged that the government hadn’t addressed the grievances of those victimized as a result of Dr. Senaratne’s actions.

Demanding a complete overhauling of the health sector administration, the GMOA warned that unless remedial measures were taken by January 3, 2022, it would resort to trade union measures (SF)