Healthcare services in Sri Lanka’s Ampara District were severely disrupted yesterday (03) as a full-scale doctors’ strike brought operations in all government hospitals to a standstill, affecting more than 50,000 patients.
The strike, led by the Government Medical Officers’ Association (GMOA), was initiated due to the controversial transfer of two doctors from Dehiattakandiya Hospital, where the protest first began on 1 October.
Despite assurances from the Ministry of Health that a four-member committee would be appointed to investigate the matter, no such panel materialised.
As a result, the strike intensified on 2 October, extending to peripheral hospitals and Maha Oya, before culminating in a total shutdown at the Ampara District Hospital on Friday.
Doctors also staged a demonstration outside the Ampara Hospital, demanding the immediate cancellation of what they called “irregular and unjustified transfers.”
GMOA Secretary Dr Prabath Sugathadasa warned that the protest could escalate to other districts unless the Health Ministry enforces transparent procedures for medical staff transfers.
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