GMOF denounces doctor's strike ; says demands politically motivated

The Government Medical Officers Federation (GMOF) has announced that it would not take part in the doctors strike action which is underway, by citing the demands as politically motivated and unjustifiable.

Earlier this week, the Government Medical Officers Association (GMOA) declared that it would engage in a 24-hour token strike from today citing several issues in the medical sector.

"This strike is unfair and not justifiable. This is being carried out based on a political motive," GMOF Secretary, Dr Niroshana Premaratne said. He pointed out that the claims put forward by the GMOA were false and could mislead the public.

The GMOA had launched the strike citing the shortage of medicines at hospitals, issues on medical education, and problems pertaining to the transfer of doctors.

Dr. Premaratne emphasised that 90 percent of the hospitals would continue to operate as usual despite the ongoing strike which began at 8:30 am today.

Meanwhile, our photographers Hiran Priyankara Jayasinghe and Priyanka Samaraweera captured the following scenes at the Colombo General Hospital and the Puttalam Base Hospital where the strike is currently underway.