Docs threaten TU action

Internship issue

The Government Medical Officers’ Association (GMOA) warns of trade union action unless the Health Ministry delayed the commencement of the internship of 2013/2-14 (proper) batch.

GMOA Secretary Dr. Senal Fernando has issued the warning in a letter addressed to Director General of Health Services Dr. Asela Gunawardena.

Earlier, the relevant batch and the GMOA in a letter dated Sept 17, 2021, requested the commencement of their internship without any delay. They set Oct 19 deadline. Dr. Fernando said in his letter to Dr. Gunawardena: “The current internship batch will be completing their appointments on 19th of October 2021, which should be the usual date of commencement of internship of the 2013/2014 (Proper) Batch.

“We appreciate that your good offices’ has initiated the process to grant internship appointment to above batch by your letter dated 23rd of September 2021”, he notes.

However, according to the representations made by the Medical Graduates of 2013/2014 (Proper) Batch, they have highlighted the possibility of having a hidden agenda to delay the recruitment of their batch to the internship on or before 19th October 2021.

“Thereby, we firmly believe that the aforementioned batch should be recruited for the internship appointments on or before 19th of October 2021”.

Further, GMOA Executive Committee has decided to take stern trade union measures, if there is any attempt to delay the commencement of the internship for the said batch.

“Hence, we earnestly request your good offices’ to ensure the recruitment of the Medical Graduates of 2013/2014 (Proper) Batch to their internship without any delay, in view of preventing unnecessary service breakdown within the health sector of the country.”