The leading trade union of doctors has warned that if the authorities do not take action to resolve the acute shortage of doctors at the Mullaitivu District General Hospital within two weeks, they will resort to severe trade union action.
Although the Mullaitivu Hospital is a District General Hospital, the Government Medical Officers’ Association states that it currently employs only 7 Acting Specialists and 42 Grade Medical Officers to treat patients in the district.
A statement issued by the secretary of the association, Dr. Senal Fernando, states that the Ministry of Health has failed to appoint any surgeon to the hospital.
Dr. Senal Fernando further said that the officers of the branch of the Government Medical Officers ‘Association of the Mullaitivu District General Hospital and the Acting Deputy Director had a special discussion with the Executive Council of the Government Medical Officers’ Association on Thursday, October 21 regarding the acute shortage of doctors in the hospital.
He has further stated in his announcement about the decision taken there.
“If the Ministry of Health does not take immediate action to resolve this issue within the next two weeks, the Mullaitivu District General Hospital Branch Association has decided to take strong trade union action and the Executive Council has given its approval today on this.”