Doctors' strike hurts patients

The token strike launched by the Government Medical Officers' Association (GMOA) severely inconvenienced patients in many hospitals throughout the island today. The token strike, from 8.00am to 12.00pm was launched to protest alleged political interference when selecting the post intern vacancy list. 

The strike had a severe impact in the country's north, with activities at the Outpatient Departments (OPDs) of hospitals grounding to a complete halt during the strike. Only emergency services were maintained during the period of the strike, hospital officials said. 

Many patients who arrived at hospitals for outpatient treatment were forced to leave without obtaining treatment. These scenes are from the Vavuniya General Hospital, which was hit hard by the strike today. 

Story and Pix by Romesh Madhusanka 

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