Doctors cannot hide behind parliamentary privileges – GMOA

BY DILANTHI JAYAMANNE-December 11, 2015

The Government Medical Officers’ Association (GMOA) yesterday refuted allegations leveled against them by Prime Minister, Ranil Wickremesinghe in Parliament on Wednesday (09) stating that it was an apolitical organisation.

Addressing an urgently called for media briefing at the OPA, GMOA Spokesman Dr. Navin de Soysa said that unlike Prime Minister Wickremesinghe the union could not take cover behind Parliamentary privileges to defend itself. "We have only the power of our membership by way of our defence," he said.

Dr. Soysa said his association was democratically appointed and motivated. It maintained transparency in all its dealings with its membership. It took pride in abiding by the policies of the Lechchavis as opposed to the pledges made by some political leaders during the elections. "This is why our political leaders retaliate when an outfit like the GMOA says something that is not to their liking," he observed.

Prime Minister Wickremesinghe making a special statement in Parliament said that the Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (CEPA) would not be signed and a new one inked with neighbour India. He accused the GMOA of having worked for the Rajapaksas during the elections in January this year and misleading its membership with regard to the CEPA agreement.

Dr. Soysa said that GMOA President Anuruddha Padeniya had faced similar harassment under the Rajapaksa regime when his papers disappeared from the Health Ministry and legal action taken against him. At the time. "But outfit showed its unity and were able to overcome the situation, he said.

The GMOA Spokesman said doctors had not asked for extra perks or privileges. They were protesting against a move to deprive them of what they had been given for years. "How can the doctors be expected to serve in difficult areas like Mulaitivu or Kilinochchi if they are to fend for themselves with not even a little support to help them with travel?"

The GMOA Spokesman said the Executive Committee of the GMOA had been able to increase the number of medical officers serving in those areas from 600 to over 1,000 owing to its agitations in the past. It demanded the government to reverse its proposals to scrap the non-contributory pension scheme to do away with the tax concessions and vehicle permits for doctors and other professional services. The promised and much awaited increments to basic salaries should be effected, he said.

Dr. Soysa said the GMOA had also raised its voice against the proposed CEPA which would bring in underqualified professionals to the detriment of the country.