(VIDEO) Patient collapses in Badulla Hospital as nurses report sick

COLOMBO (News 1st); Thousands of people across the island were left stranded and helpless as three major nursing unions went on sick leave on Thursday (01), and this trade union action will continue on Friday (02) as well.

At the Badulla General Hospital's cancer treatment ward, one patient collapsed onto the ground while waiting for medicines to be provided.

Nurses who had reported sick but were present at the premises thereafter rushed to provide treatment to the elderly patient.

'All those who come to public hospitals are not rich,' said one man while waiting in line at the National Eye Hospital in Colombo.

One woman told News 1st that she spends Rs. 12,000/- for a three-wheeler to come to Colombo from Welikanda in order to obtain medicine.

The trade unions resorting to the trade union action of reporting sick are the Public Services United Nurses Union (PSUNU), Government Nursing Officers' Association, and the All Ceylon Nursing Employees Union.

Among their demands are the Rs. 15,000/- overnight travel & accident allowance promised to them in 2015, Promotions and converting nursing colleges into universities.