These people are dividing us -GMOA

The Government Medical Officers' Association (GMOA) alleges that there is a readiness to push the entire medical service as well as the free health system into a severe crisis by creating disunity between specialist doctors and other medical categories through a political activity.

In the face of the economic, social, and political instability prevailing in the country, retaining doctors, including specialists, within the country became a major challenge in the health sector. With the aim of finding sustainable solutions to this problem, a special committee comprising representatives from the Ministry of Health and medical trade unions was appointed. There, an agreement was reached among stakeholders to establish a new service category and salary structure named 'Sri Lanka Medical Service' representing all medical categories.

In accordance with that agreement, the government had assured that a specific service category would be established for all doctors, including specialist doctors, during the third reading of the 2026 budget. However, the Government Medical Officers' Association states that it has now been proposed to create a separate service category exclusively for specialist doctors, contrary to the initial agreements.

The association points out that by creating such a structure limited to only one category, a severe division would arise among doctors, and that it would cause serious harm to the free health service as well as the patient care process. Therefore, they emphasize that this proposal cannot be agreed upon at all.

Regarding this situation, their views were presented verbally and in writing to the relevant committee, and although authorities were requested several times to provide a copy of the committee report, it has not yet been fulfilled. For this reason, an emergency meeting of the provincial and district coordinators of the Government Medical Officers' Association was held on the 28th to make decisions regarding future professional actions.

As a result of that discussion, arrangements have been made to hold an emergency meeting of the Specialist Doctors' Sub-Committee of the Government Medical Officers' Association tomorrow (31). Final decisions are expected to be made at this meeting regarding crucial steps to be taken for a healthcare service where all can work unitedly, without allowing any division among doctors, and protecting everyone's rights and privileges.