Several health trade unions carried out a four- hour token strike today over five key demands. The strike was carried out in 42 hospitals, including the National Hospital in Colombo.
The demands included calls to provide permanent employment to health workers who have worked on contract basis for 2 years, to provide an allowance for health workers engaged in Covid duties, and to resolve issues with regard to Covid vaccines and equipment, among others.
Meanwhile, the Government Medical Officers Association (GMOA) has highlighted the difficulties faced in the sample collection procedure of COVID-19 testing due to the trade union action.
In a letter addressed to the Director- General of Health Services, the GMOA further said some workers from other categories in the public health services have volunteered to assist in Covid testing to maintain the patient care without interruption.
The GMOA called on the Health Ministry to look into the possibility of training workers from other categories of the public health services to contribute to the Covid testing procedure as an alternative solution to overcome the current crisis. (NewsWire)