A token strike by doctors yesterday which was the day of the funeral of the lady doctor who was killed last week in Hambantota, affected hospitals islandwide.Dr. Upul Gunasekare of the Government Medical Officers Association (GMOA) said it was decided to declare a day of mourning yesterday as it was the day of the funeral with medical officers absenting themselves from their services.
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| The large crowd at the funeral of the slain doctor yesterday. |
He said that clinics and OPDs in hospitals islandwide would be affected adding that the GMOA had also requested its members to refrain from engaging in private practice.
National Hospital Director Dr. Hector Weerasinghe said that the main units such as the Accident Service, emergency services and the ICU were functioning well but the Out Patients Department (OPD) and the clinics were severely affected following the token strike.
Anuradhapura Hospital director Dr. Sarath Weerabandara said that the clinics and OPD had no doctors while they managed the emergency services especially treating security forces casualties.
Hambantota hospital was the worst affected. According to Hambantota hospital sources there was a severe dearth of doctors in almost all sections.
Kurunegala hospital sources also said that the number of doctors was significantly low especially in the OPD. | 
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