The Government Medical Officer’s Association announced that the token strike launched today morning by OPD doctors at the Lady Ridgeway Children’s Hospital has been called off with immediate effect. 

GMOA spokesman Dr.Chamil Wijesinghe said after a letter was issued by the Health Ministry Secretary Janaka Chandragupta on Wednesday instructing the Director of LRH to conduct an internal disciplinary inquiry into the alleged behaviour of the consultant paediatrician. 

“Doctors, nurses and even parents of ill children are complaining about the short tempered consultant. The Colombo medical faculty is not sending medical students to her. The Post Graduate Institute of Medicine has also stopped sending students to her. She had to face similar disciplinary inquiries  while attached to Karawanella, Negombo, Avissawella hospitals,” Dr. Wijesinghe said. 

He said the strike will be limited to only the OPD and that emergency and essential medical services, wards, clinics and laboratories will operate as usual. 

“LRH doctors are going on a strike for the first time in the hospital’s history. This action had to be taken due to the failure of the Director to take action against her behaviour even after Health DG instructing a disciplinary inquiry on June 21,” he added. 

Director of the LRH, Dr.G.Wijesooriya told Timesonline that an inquiry is being conducted by the Ministry of Health and the report will be out next week. 

“I requested union members to refrain from obstructing doctors who are on duty. Meanwhile, I have made arrangements to ensure no delays are taking place at the OPD,” he said.