Patients at state hospitals had to remain stranded across the country as doctors attached to the Government Medical Officers Association (GMOA) launched an islandwide strike on Thursday.

The strike was held following yesterday’s attack on the university students who held a demonstration against the private medical school in Malabe.

Hundreds of patients had to turn away from the hospitals without medical attention as the strike was commenced since 8.00 am.

A meeting of the Central Committee of the GMOA was also held to discuss the further steps to be taken over the issue, this afternoon.

The undergraduates who took part in the protest have also come under severe criticism for damaging the properties at the Health Ministry premises. However, GMOA Secretary Dr. Nalinda Herath told reporters in Colombo that the protesting students were barred from leaving after they entered into the premises and the police had baton charged them. He also labelled the incident as a pre-planned activity of the authorities.   

Meanwhile, GMOA’s Assistant Secretary Dr. Haritha Aluthge denied allegation that the doctors had intentionally delayed to provide medical assistance for police personnel who were admitted to the hospital following the protest.

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UPDATE: A decision has been made by the GMOA to allow the executive council of the association to decide when to conclude the strike. 

Dr. Navina De Soysa stated that all accident and emergency services and dengue treatment services will continue to function as usual. 

The GMOA stated that they will engage in a continuous strike, till further notice in protest against the functioning of the Malabe Medical Campus, and the handling of the protestors during the protests held yesterday (21).