GMOA threatens to withdraw members from N and E

by Don Asoka Wijewardena
The Government Medical Officers Association (GMOA) has decided to withdraw its members from the North and East, unless the Health authorities provides them adequate security.

Doctors serving in those areas, especially in the Batticaloa district, have informed the GMOA that they are subjected to attacks by some unknown groups.

In the Batticoloa District an ambulance was attacked recently and the driver and an attendant were seriously injured.

GMOA member Dr. Upul Gunasakare said that an ambulance had been attacked. There had been no doctor in the vehicle at the time of the incident but the driver and the attendant had to be hospitalised as they sustained injuries. Several such incidents of such nature had been reported from Batticaloa, he said.

Dr. Gunasekara said intimidation, abduction and threats continued unabated in the North and the East and the doctors in those areas were concerned about their safety.