SAITM controversy: GMOA warns of trade union action

The Government Medical Officers' Association (GMOA) warned that trade union action at the Avissawella base hospital was imminent unless authorities take measures to resolve the controversy arising from the decision to provide clinical training at the hospital to students from the private medical college in Malabe.

Issuing a media release, the GMOA stated today (23) that its union members at the Avissawella base hospital had complained of being unable to carry out their duties freely as they felt uncomfortable in the environment created by the decision to provide clinical training to students from the privately funded South Asian Institute of Technology and Medicine (SAITM).

However, as per an unanimous decision made by the Central Committee of the GMOA, its members are not bound to provide clinical training to students from institutes not recognized by the Sri Lanka Medical Council (SLMC), the statement added, pointing out SAITM was not recognized by the SLMC.

The media release further claimed that since the students had commenced clinical training at the hospital, a large number of unknown persons are regularly seen positioned at various locations in the hospital and some of them have been videoing activities of the doctors and other staff at the hospital from time to time.

Statements of GMOA branch members at the Avissawella base hospital were also being recorded, both officially and unofficially, the association further charged.

In light of these developments, the GMOA branch members at the hospital have informed the hospital's director of their difficulties. However, if authorities failed to ensure, within one week from today, an environment for doctors to carry out their duties freely and without disturbing their mental focus, the GMOA was prepared to launch severe trade union action at the hospital without further notice, the statement warned.

The association said responsibility for any difficulties to patients arising from such trade union action lies with the hospital administration and relavent health officials.

 

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