GMOA Calls Off Nationwide Strike

COLOMBO (News 1st); The Government Medical Officers' Association (GMOA) has decided to pause its planned islandwide strike, which was supposed to kick off at 8 AM today (25). 

The move comes after some productive late-night discussions with top health officials.

The strike was originally planned due to a bunch of serious concerns, like:

Unfair transfers of medical officers,
The risk of hospitals shutting down in remote areas,
Hospitals not getting proper medicines and equipment, and
Patients being forced to buy essential drugs out-of-pocket because of pressure on the free healthcare system.

But after a meeting last night between Health Minister Dr. Nalinda Jayatissa, the Health Ministry Secretary, and the GMOA’s executive team, the doctors decided to hold off.

According to the GMOA, the Minister and Secretary gave written promises to fix the issues—especially the messy transfer process.

Since both sides agreed on how to move forward, the strike has been put on hold for now.