Opposition behind the doctors' strike?

Protesting against the actions of the Ministry of Health, the Government Medical Officers' Association (GMOA) has launched a symbolic strike covering hospitals island-wide from 8:00 AM today (23). The association has announced that this professional action will be in effect for the next 48 hours.

However, with the aim of minimizing inconvenience to patients, this strike will not be implemented in maternity and children's hospitals, kidney hospitals, and cancer hospitals, where daily activities will proceed as usual.

The Government Medical Officers' Association (GMOA) points out that this drastic decision was necessitated by the authorities' failure to implement the agreements reached in previous discussions with the Ministry of Health regarding the protection of the free health service and the resolution of professional issues faced by doctors. They further state that the doctors have been compelled to resort to this professional struggle due to the breaking of promises.

Meanwhile, various opinions are being expressed on social media that this doctors' strike is not merely based on professional demands but also has a political motive. Specifically, there is strong discussion on social media that there is an opposition political conspiracy behind this strike and that a plan to inconvenience the government is being implemented through it.

According to reported information, this professional action has also received the support of the Samagi Jana Balawegaya (SJB) Executive Committee. Political sources also state that information is circulating on social media that Dr. Chamal Sanjeewa, a recently recruited member of the party's Executive Committee, has requested doctors via WhatsApp to support the success of this strike.