Minister's Outrage: Healthcare Strikes Endanger Patients' Lives

COLOMBO (News 1st); Sri Lanka's Health Minister Dr. Nalinda Jayatissa emphasized that strikes in the healthcare sector, which jeopardize patients' lives, are completely unacceptable.

While acknowledging the need for fair wage increases, Dr. Jayatissa stressed that holding patients' lives hostage during such strikes is intolerable.

Health Minister Dr. Nalinda Jayatissa addressed Parliament today (18), condemning the ongoing strikes in the healthcare sector that endanger patients' lives. 

He highlighted that despite the government's efforts to increase basic salaries for healthcare professionals, certain groups have chosen to strike, causing significant disruption to medical services.

Dr. Jayatissa explained that the Ministry of Finance had arranged a meeting with the striking groups on March 17th to discuss their concerns. However, the groups announced their strike action immediately after the meeting, indicating a premeditated decision to strike.

The Minister detailed the salary increases provided by the government, which included substantial additions to the basic salaries of various healthcare professionals. He emphasized that these increases also positively impact overtime pay and holiday allowances, making the strike action unjustifiable.

"As a government, we have awarded a basic salary increase for the Professions Supplementary to Medicine, and the Interim Medical Services. We have added Rs. 22,000/- to the basic salary of Rs. 32,000/-. For a person with a basic salary of Rs. 37,190/- we have added Rs. 26,120/-. For a person with a basic salary of Rs. 44,520/-, we have added Rs. 32,010/-. For a person with a basic salary of Rs. 54, 590/-, we have added Rs. 43,320/-."

Dr. Jayatissa expressed concern for the taxpayers who fund these salary hikes, noting that many are unaware of the taxes they pay. He stressed that it is unfair for senior citizens and other patients to be turned away from hospitals due to the strike.

He urged the striking groups to reconsider their actions, stating that the government is open to further discussions. 

" The President ready to make time to meet and discuss the real issues of these striking groups. Instead, what these groups are doing is taking patients hostage for political gains. We have given them a meeting tomorrow (19) as well. We are ready for talks."

The Minister criticized the use of patients as leverage for political gains and called for an end to the strikes that hold patients hostage.