Sri Lanka Healthcare Strike Continues Despite Essential Service Designation

COLOMBO (News 1st); Despite the government designating healthcare as an essential service, members of 72 health trade unions across Sri Lanka continued their strike today (14), demanding an allowance increase equal to that recently granted to doctors.

The strike, which began yesterday morning, saw the participation of public health inspectors, laboratory technicians, pharmacists, and radiologists, impacting services at government hospitals throughout the country. 

While children's hospitals, cancer hospitals, kidney hospitals, and maternity hospitals have been exempted, many other departments face disruption, causing hardship for patients seeking care.

The Health Trade Union Alliance is calling for an allowance increase of Rs 35,000, mirroring the additional benefit recently given to doctors. 

The government, however, has invoked the Essential Public Services Act, declaring that "All service, work or labour, of any description whatsoever, necessary or required to be done in connection with the maintenance, and the reception, care feeding, and treatment, of patients in hospitals, nursing homes, dispensaries, and other similar institutions," as essential services. 

To ensure minimum service continuity, the government has deployed army personnel to assist in vital operations at affected hospitals. However, patient care remains significantly impacted, causing frustration and concern.