Trade unions in the health sector have decided to resort to strike action over disregard by the authorities to calls for reconsideration of a circular that bans health professionals from speaking to the media without prior approval.
Instead of resolving issues in the health sector, their exposures have been barred by using disciplinary regulations that have been politicized, said the national movement of health professionals at a media briefing yesterday (29).
In protest, it has decided to strike work from 03 August, and the health secretary should take the responsibility for ensuring inconveniences, it said.
TU leader Dharmakeerthi Epa said they did not want minister Keheliya Rambukwella to be expelled personally, but that the health minister should be one who is experienced and skilled in the field.
TUs will be convening in Colombo in order to save the free health service for the sake of the people, he said.
President of the Association of Health Professionals Ravi Kumudesh accused the minister of colluding with the squandering thieves who take the health service to ruin.
He called for a mechanism to safeguard the interests of patients by supervising shortcomings in the health service.
Kumudesh also said the circular in question should be withdrawn.
