GMOA Ends 48-Hour Symbolic Strike, Doctors to Resume Work with Limited Services

COLOMBO (News 1st) -The strike launched by the Government Medical Officers' Association (GMOA) concluded at 8:00 AM today.

Government doctors commenced the 48-hour symbolic strike at 8:00 AM on the 23rd of January, centered around three key demands, surrounding three main allowances and a transportation issue.

The key demands include:

Establishment of a special service category titled the "Sri Lanka Medical Service.", 

Updating the Disturbance, Availability, and Transport (DAT) allowance.

Resolving transportation grievances in accordance with Circular 22/99.

And Converting the Extra Duty Allowance into a fixed allowance.

In addition, they also demanded the implemention of the written agreement provided by the Minister of Health to resolve issues with regard to their Research Allowance.

As a result of this strike action, thousands of patients who came to obtain treatment at government hospitals, were left stranded for the past 48 hours. 

To conclude the strike, the GMOA held a media briefing this afternoon, where they stated that they will resume work tomorrow, but will be limiting to certain services.

The services being limited include:

Prescribing drugs that need to be purchased from external pharmacies and ordering lab tests.