Strikes paralyse government hospitals

By Rathindra Kuruwita

Government hospitals were crippled yesterday due to a strike by health sector trade unions.In addition to the ten unions that commenced a strike on Wednesday, hospital administrators, management assistants and attendants too commenced a 24-hour strike from 6 am yesterday.

They are also demanding the Disturbance, Availability, and Transport (DAT) allowance of Rs 35,000, which the Cabinet has approved for doctors.Deputy Secretary of the Sri Lanka Freedom Health Services Union, R.A.D. Sumith Hemantha said hospitals have come to a standstill due to the strike.

“The doctors want a salary increase to maintain their social standards. We want a salary hike to survive,” he said.

Meanwhile, Secretary of the Union Roy de Mel claimed that they have taken steps to ensure all essential services are provided without disruption.

“I know the most vulnerable people are affected by the strike. We are sorry, but we have been compelled to take this step,” he said.

Security forces personnel have been deployed in some hospitals.

Meanwhile, President of the Government Midwifery Service Association Devika Kodithuwakku said they will commence a continuous strike next week unless the government takes steps to address their grievances by Friday morning.

The Public Services United Nurses’ Union and the Allied Health Services Union have not joined the strike.

Chairman of the Allied Health Services Union, Ven. Tampitiye Sugatananda Thera said his union does not support the strike because it will help the government privatize the state healthcare service.

“The government wants to create a crisis in the health sector and privatize government hospitals. We don’t want to be actors in a play written by President Ranil Wickremesinghe and directed by Saman Ratnapriya. We urge health workers not to fall for this trap,” he said.