Colombo, Jan 27 (newsin.asia) – Just barely a week after doctors attached to state hospitals ended a 3 day island wide strike, ambulance drivers from the government health service began a 48 hour token strike on Tuesday urging to government to fulfill their demands.
Secretary to the Association Amarananda Waduge speaking to local media said the strike was launched on Tuesday midnight over several demands and against the decision to transfer health service drivers of the Western Province to another department.
Waduge said that the government had failed to address their grievances in the past and warned that if their concerns are not looked into then an indefinite strike would be launched from July 4.
The frequent strikes by Sri Lanka’s medical workers and doctors have inconvenienced thousands of Sri Lankans who depend on the state sector to address their medical needs.
Just last week, doctors attached to the Government Medical Officers Association (GMOA) launched a country wide strike which ended only after 3 days following discussions with President Maithripala Sirisena.
The GMOA even threatened that university medical students who were protesting to shut down the SAITM college – Sri Lanka’s first private medical college – will be compelled to take up arms if the government failed to address their issues.
The strike crippled the island’s health sector, standing thousands of patients throughout the island who were greeted by deserted wards and empty walls when they visited state hospitals to seek medical treatment.
However while the doctors stay away from work during the strikes, some doctors have been captured by television crews practicing at private medical centers.