Ravi Kumudesh, convener of the Federation of Health Professionals, says the 48-hour strike will continue unless government and health ministry officials pay attention.
This is a strike that can be stopped. Addressing the media from the National Hospital today (24) he said that the public is being subjected to undue harassment due to arrogant ministers and incompetent officials.
He further stated that the Minister of Finance Basil Rajapaksa has asked the President to resolve the salary anomalies of the health professionals. Will the salary anomaly be eliminated as stated in Parliament? If we could at least talk about this, these strikes could have been stopped.
At least the Health Secretary has not seen what Finance Minister Rajapaksa said in Parliament. The Secretary of Health has not been able to hold a single discussion to resolve the problems of these professionals. He cannot discuss and resolve such an issue.
Arrogant ministers on the one hand. Incompetent officers on the other hand. Because of these two, people are getting out of the frying pan into the fire. No matter how much we don’t like it, we have no choice but to strike.
This action will be stopped in 48 hours. This is done to open the eyes of the government and the Ministry of Health authorities. But if that doesn’t happen, we move on to the next step. It can often be a strike that continues until demands are met. We urge the President, the Prime Minister and the Minister of Health not to oppress the people and give false solutions when this issue becomes serious like every other issue. Please intervene. That is your responsibility.
We are on duty at children’s hospitals, cancer hospitals, maternity hospitals and Covid hospitals during this strike. We also deployed staff to the emergency room at Kinniya Hospital. We also provide emergency and life-saving services.
50,000 health professionals and fifteen trade unions have joined the strike action.