Doctors' strike suspended

by Shanika Sriyananda

The islandwide strike scheduled for July 11 in State hospitals has been suspended by the Government Medical Officers' Association (GMOA) following an assurance by the Ministry of Health to amend the new Private Medical Institutions Act 2006.

The Executive Committee of the GMOA took this decision yesterday as the Health Minister Nimal Siripala de Silva agreed to bring amendments to the Act.

The Director General of Health Services Dr. Ajith Mendis has been appointed by Minister de Silva to study the amendments together with the GMOA. Dr. Mendis has been given three months to propose amendments to the Act.

GMOA Secretary Dr. Anuruddha Padeniya told the 'Sunday Observer' that the GMOA is not against regulating the private sector health services but under the provisions of the new Act it would bring more disadvantages to patients.

"The hidden fact is that when implemented, the medical fees will go up", he said adding that it would be a big burden on patients, who are now paying exorbitant prices for private health services.

He said that the Regulatory Council that was to be set up under the Act would, be a politicised Council, which lacks the expertise to regulate the laws, Dr. Padeniya said.

"There would also be a clash between the Sri Lanka Medical Council and this regulatory council and there are no specifications described to recruit the 'Authorised Officer', who has power to inspect any of the private health care institutes", he said.