No channeling of specialist docs on Friday as they are supporting hartal

By Rathindra Kuruwita

The Association of Medical Specialists (AMS) had decided to support the proposed hartal campaign on 6 May 2022, AMS President Dr. LakKumar Fernando said yesterday.

“The exco of the AMS discussed the above proposed action and decided on the following as the AMS way of supporting the proposed protest campaign. Action will be taken to minimise the inconvenience caused to the general public,” he said.

Members of the AMS will work in the government hospitals as normal and attend all emergencies.

However, they will participate in the protest campaigns at hospitals during lunch hour with other healthcare workers

They will also refrain from channel practice on that day whilst attending any emergencies in the private sector.

Members may also visit already admitted inward patients in the private sector.

AMS is planning to take this action in collaboration with private sector medical specialists (IMSA) and university medical specialists (FMTAs) and are hopeful about their support and participation,” he said.

Dr. Fernando also made an open appeal to the general public not to seek channel services to see a medical specialist on Friday.

“We have also asked members to take necessary steps to take this message to potential patients(specially OPD/Channel patients in the private sector) early to minimize inconvenience to them,” he said.

Meanwhile, Secretary of the Government Medical Officers Association (GMOA) Dr. Senal Fernando told The Island that they would decide today (05) whether to take part in the hartal.