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GMOA strike: No final decision yet
View(s):By Hansani Bandara
The Government Medical Officers’ Association (GMOA) is yet to make a final decision on its proposed strike action even though a somewhat favourable response has been received from the Government on the demands made by it. The GMOA will decide its course of action following the general meeting to be held next Friday, GMOA Secretary Dr. Chandika Epitakaduwa said.
Meanwhile, presenting the standpoint of the Health Ministry, Health Services Director General, Dr. Palitha Mahipala said the issue has already been resolved when the amended Service Minutes were presented to the Public Services Commission (PSC) on April 19.
“We are working very closely with everyone and GMOA members on their part have been very supportive too” he said adding that the Ministry was now awaiting PSC approval for the Service Minutes.
The GMOA demands the implementation of the promotion scheme for doctors as set out in the 2006/6th circular. Explaining the history of the issue, Dr. Epitakaduwa said the Association has made numerous attempts in the past to get the authorities to incorporate the proposed structure for promotions of doctors to the Service Minutes even though the circular was meant to be implemented seven years ago.
Section 4.2.2 of Annexure 2 of the Circular states that ‘employees whose performance is judged to be average at the process of appraisal stated above will be promoted at the end of the 10th year of recruitment and will earn the benefit of one additional increment’.
Dr. Epitakaduwa added that regardless of what is stated in the circular, doctors stagnate in their respective grade even after completion of 10 years service.
“Doctors do not get promoted while the service categories get easy promotional schemes,” he said. The wages of a medical officer depends on his grade where grade 1 doctors are paid more than those of the preliminary and 2nd grades. Without grade promotions, salary increments too can’t be provided, he said.
Adding that the preparation of the Service Minutes is a responsibility of the Health Ministry, he said that the GMOA offered to extend its fullest support to this task two years ago, but all the institutions have been ‘passing the buck’ from one to another without coming forward to take the responsibility of amending the Service Minutes.
The GMOA called off the strike which was to be held last Friday considering the favourable response to its demands from the authorities. Asked what would be the effects of the strike on patients; Dr. Epitakaduwa stressed only the routine OPD and clinic work and operating theatre work will be halted.
He added that in case of a strike, emergency services will be carried out as usual while agreeing that some inconvenience will be caused to people who come to attend clinics. “We will never let any patient die. Doctors are the only professionals who strike while on duty since we do not completely halt our work,” he said.
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