Strike cripple services in state hospitals

Patients were once again left inconvenienced after seventeen health sector trade unions launched a 48-hour island-wide strike from today.

Long queues were seen at State Pharmaceutical Corporation (Osusala) outlets after dispensing of medicines in state hospitals came to a halt due to the strike.  

The Federation of Health Professionals consisting of seventeen unions representing nurses, paramedics, public health officers, laboratory technicians and other complimentary medical staff are taking part in the strike.

Ravi Kumudesh, Convenor of the Federation said 45,000 health workers have joined the strike as the Health Ministry failed to take swift action to address their demands and concerns and delayed appointing a committee.

Government Nursing Officers Union and its President Saman Ratnapriya cannot take part in the strike due to the enjoining order issued to them till March 11.

Kumudesh threatened to commence the indefinite strike without prior notice if the Health Ministry is unable to give positive feedback to their demands. 

"This 48 hour strike is a warning. An indefinite strike is possible anytime after March 10," he added. 

Among the demands are to eliminate salary anomalies in nursing and professions supplementary to medicine, to issue the circular on promotions as approved by the Cabinet, to appoint a Director General and Deputy DG posts for nursing and supplementary medicine and to increase the Disturbance, Availability and Transport (DAT) allowance and pay the OT rates as agreed.  (Pix by M.D Nissanka)