GMOA intensifies its ongoing trade union action today after association alleged lack of response from authorities

The Government Medical Officers' Association has taken further steps in its trade union actions. The doctors' union started these intensified activities after their demands were not met by the authorities. The union's actions have affected several medical services in hospitals across the country. The union began continuous strike actions on January 26, 2026. They gave the government a 48-hour deadline to respond to their demands. When the authorities did not reply, the union decided to escalate their actions. On January 31, 2026, the union held an emergency meeting. During this meeting, they decided to increase their protest because they received no satisfactory response from the Ministry of Health. The union members are now doing more to show their dissatisfaction. As of February 2, 2026, there has been no official confirmation that the government has solved the issues raised by the union. The situation remains uncertain. The actions being taken by the union include several changes in how medical services are provided. Doctors are now suspending prescriptions for medicines and medical equipment that are not available in hospitals. This means patients may find it difficult to get certain medicines or supplies through these doctors. They are also stopping referrals for laboratory tests that hospitals cannot conduct. Patients who need specific tests may face delays or cancellations. Additionally, doctors are withdrawing from voluntary participation in health camps and clinics organized by political groups. This move reduces additional health services offered outside of hospitals. Doctors also refuse to assign new staff to hospital wards unless the staffing levels are approved. This can affect the availability of doctors in different hospital departments. Furthermore, doctors are not willing to examine patients if their safety and privacy cannot be guaranteed. This specific stance aims to highlight concerns over safety in medical environments. Specialist services are now limited to designated hospitals only. This means that some hospitals may no longer provide certain specialist services, which could affect patient care. The union's actions are a response to what they see as the government’s failure to address their demands. They want the authorities to improve working conditions, increase staff, and meet their other specific requests. The government has not confirmed any resolution or progress in resolving these issues. The situation continues to develop as both sides remain in disagreement. This ongoing dispute highlights the challenges faced by healthcare workers and the importance of timely responses from authorities. It also shows how such protests can impact the availability of medical services for patients. As the situation evolves, it remains crucial for the parties involved to engage in dialogue to find a resolution. Ensuring that healthcare workers’ concerns are addressed can help improve health services and patient care in the long term.