(Lanka-e-News -20.Dec.2015, 9.00AM) The Government medical officers Association (GMOA) of Pavadeniya which is hell bent on finding some pretext or another to stage strikes and sabotage the government of good governance which in contradistinction is fully geared and determined to serve the people who elected them into power. It is learnt the GMOA had summoned an emergency central committee meeting again today.(19)
Thereafter they had wanted to meet the president in the evening. When these self centered doctors struck work for duty free vehicle permits , the government decided to grant them permits every five years . But now , their latest grouse is against the decision taken to provide clinical training to the students of the SAITM private medical College in the government hospitals.They have now demanded that the SAITM Medical College be closed down , or else they would strike again.
The minister of justice Dr. Wijedasa Rajapakse who participated in yesterday’s (18) budget committee stage debate referring to this GMOA’s unrefined conduct unbecoming of professionals said , this is nothing but jealousy , and a manifestation of baser instincts. The minister explained , it is best if the doctors think wisely and learn to maintain their professional dignity without voluntarily trying to degrade and disgrace themselves . These doctors who are trying to throw their weight about must realize if they had scored one or two marks less they would have had to drive three wheelers in their villages.
The minister went on to comment as follows :
‘Heeding the requests of the masses the budget proposals were amended. The government did this as a people’s government to please the people . Specially regarding higher education and Malabe private medical College several lengthy discussions were held . There were also court proceedings.
Today the GMOA has made a statement to the media that the Malabe private medical College should be taken over by the government . I am surprised by this statement . I wish to ask these doctors , do they have any idea about the education in SL?
We are unable to provide higher education to all the students who successfully complete their advanced level exam. While 3000 are entering the Universities , there are a further around 70,000 unable to enter them , and grieving.
These Universities were not opened during this period of 100 days.The SAITM was opened during the last government. The Defense University was started by Kotalawela . When these were being launched , didn’t you have the guts to oppose them ? The political culture then created was such , if you speak against the government, you would have been abducted and that was the end of you. Now , you are coming to tell us to undo the wrong done. We know better as a government how that should be done.
It is the GMOA that is the issue. When those Universities were opened these so called ‘heroes’ were asleep. Now after thousands of students have followed their courses there and their parents have got themselves indebted to educate their children , the GMOA says to close down the medical College. What is the justice in this? These doctors think because they are doctors, other doctors should not be produced. These doctors who are waxing eloquent , had they scored one mark less they would be three wheeler drivers in their villages. These are doctors who are opposed to more doctors coming into being. This country needs Universities . Not only medical Colleges , every University is important for this country.
This is a requirement of the people in the country. Earlier on , in fear of the white Van they did not open their mouths . That was the state of the country then , but now these same cowards are trying to act tough and show their ‘colors’. These are cruel cheap aims and agendas. Going near a Doctor must be something like going close to a deity . The doctors must create that atmosphere .Medical profession is the most revered profession in the world.
When their pockets are not getting filled , and when it is a small car permit , when a critical patient struggling for breath comes along , they look the other way.
We have today done what could not be done.The courts have given a verdict on how it should be done. The Doctors are now divided . When a child of a Doctor fails to enter medical faculty he goes to SAITM. We have faced this experience. We certainly frown upon the methods and modes adopted by the government doctors stemming from the jealousy deep within them against more doctors qualifying.
This is an educational Instituton. It is the most respected
doctors of the country, not lawyers who launched this Medical College spending many millions of rupees. Now GMOA says close this medical College and put those students out into the streets. This is pure base uncouth trait in them that is being exposed . This is a most despicable and detestable statement .
Of course all doctors do not subscribe to this despicable opinion. These things do happen when many are involved driven by ulterior motives and a political hand is at work.This is not the opinion of doctorsin general. As an association when they come and speak in the open this way, the estimation of the public in respect of doctors in general is lowered .Why is the medical profession being degraded and destroyed? Do not be a party to this type of unprofessional destructive agendas ’ the minister exhorted with concern.
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by (2015-12-20 03:43:19)
deniya‘s doctor mafia again threatens to strike ! 'These doctors would have been trishaw drivers but for one mark' – Minister Dr. Wijedasa Rajapakse)
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6 discussion on this news
Well said! Unfortunately, in our mother land, the doctors oath is not to serve the people but to play cheap politics. Go to hell, you patients is their attitude. In the same time rip them off too.
-- by Coconut Republic on 2015-12-20
they say doctors are against doctors. but I think doctors are for doctors. other wise they won't fight to keep their standards. the government will definitely win. but how can you say doctors are against making doctors? universities make more than a 1000 doctors each year. what they are against is the short cuts that are being made.
for an example the cut off mark for royal is 184. would selected students, parents or any one else like some one coming by shortcut through the back door?
on the other hand I have never seen any article praising the doctors for the service they do. for an example is anyone aware of the deliveries of babies done today and the number of lives saved? this is just one example. I guess politicians always win. even websites are divided when it comes to politics no matter what the issue is. but here all are in one side attacking doctors.
ravi, wijedasa and rajitha are all educated people including ranil and this attitude is strange for me. I too voted for yahapalanaya.
this was a website I loved so much. but I guess they are too biased.
let us say we say ok to private medical colleges. they how training in government hospitals be private. Neville fernando hospital was built fir this sole reason.
on the other hand I can remember about articles talking of various politicians children passing from law college fraudulently. well wont that happen here.
I don't see any benefit attacking doctors. but it will definitely bring support as it appears as fighting with the rich for the poor.
I hope this comment will be published.
thank you.
-- by thushan on 2015-12-20
These docs should not be allowed to decide on how many doctors Sri Lanka needs. We are well below the doctor to population ratios of the developed world. That's why we have to stand in queues from 4 am in general hospital. Doctors enjoy a privileged status that non other enjoys. They get free education most of them getting lower marks from villages over those getting higher marks from cities. Then they get duty free vehicles. They are also allowed to do private practice where they scoot off to earn extra money disregarding the poorer patients in govt hospitals. They get free post graduate studies overseas. And they go on strike for taking away the duty free car?? I am working overseas and earn for my country through my blood and tears. The poor housemaids and the labourers in west Asia earn for our country. What do these doctors earn ? They fleece the poor public. The govt is too weak to stop these blood thirsty vultures.
-- by Patriot on 2015-12-20
to see what happens ot poor patients you have to and get admitted. mr patriot is in a western country and he should know that the maternal mortality rate, infant mortality rate and life expectancy are equal to the so called developed world you are living in.
don't look into comments made in news. the people who make comments never get treatment from government hospitals. go and get admitted. then you will see the work done. on the other hand after getting free education doctors are working here while people like you are abroad. how can you say doctors are getting all the privileges? politicians are getting all the privileges. do you think a private practice earns millions? and why are you so worried about the car permit. doctors paid about 85% tax when getting cars. even if they sold it the buyers bought cars after paying 85% tax. when there are no permits doctors will buy second hand cars and will the government get that 85% tax. how do you expect a 24 hour service when there are no quarters. the privilege of doing private practice will be there even if your child becomes a doctor. it was given for reasons and one reason was the government being unable to increase salaries. now that you are in a country which has good doctors go ask them about their salaries. this is called inferiority complex. no matter what the out come is you will be happy to see something bad happening to doco=tors as you couldn't become one. but remember you can make your child one. learn buddism. the poor and innocent people of this country knows what they get from government hospitals. they worship he health sector. this is true regarding nurses as well. all I see in news is that nurses are bad. but what I have see is that they save the lives of millions working hours and hours at a stretch.
please come back to srilanka and serve your motherland. being abroad filled with jealousy will benefit no one.
-- by thushan on 2015-12-21
What’s the point of asking to close down SAITM in the name of free education. By doing that, there will be neither free education nor paid education! At least if SAITM is there, there will be paid education for those who can afford, until the fight for free education for all becomes a reality. So the motive of the call to close down SAITM, we see as jealousy! If someone thinks it is for a different motive, pls let us know. As the GMOA and Inter University Students Union got to know that the public felt their motive, now they say to nationalize SAITM. Shortage of free education in this country is due to poverty. The solution to poverty is not to nationalize private institutions. This was proven over and over again during communism. The worst issue in the world is not medical education but shortage of food. If nationalization is the solution, the easy solution should be nationalizing all the food manufacturing organizations and give free food!
-- by Harsha on 2015-12-21
give permission for private medical college. ok. then why clinicals in government hospitals? then that is not private. the government will win this and cut off permits and abolish pension.that is because it gives them the support of those who don't have pension, permits and who are jealous. but in the end they too will get it on both their sides.remember these are weapons of governments. pension is given after deducting from salaries. most go on pension after working for about 35 years. they will then live for another 10 to 15 years. by that time their children will be aove 18. how can it be a cost. I think the government earns from it.
when permits are given to politicians no one talks. doctors got a tax concession and not a free car. but politicians get tax free cars. why be jealous. even your children might achieve the same. it s a benefit open to all. how can a doctor go for a child birth at night where their are no quarters? 5% of doctors have quarters. this is informed by phone. has the government given them a phone? but i guess it is ok giving phones to journalists. doctors are expected to have latest knowledge. but what would happen if they are given laptops and internet? the rich who do not go to government hospitals like politicians will not understand this. if they demand it they will say that doctors are playing with peoples lives and the few jealouse people will blame while innocent poor civillians who are 99% of the country will worship the doctors who treat them. that was why pradeep rangana was voted by common man. if people are against doctors he would not have been super star. the commenters here are not common man and their opinion is of those with jealousy.
free education is open to all. some use it to achieve targets while majority waste it. is it the fault of the ones who achieve?
when doctors, engineers, accountants leave the country to go abroad and earn some money they are money minded. when they come back and buy houses and cars jealousy ignites and free education talks start. but when house maids go to Saudi it is ok and they say rata wiruwo. when farmers strike, three wheel drivers strike, free trade zone workers strikes, fishermen strike no one talks of free education and common mans tax. the say they are fighting for rights. this is professional jealousy and ultimately politicians will win at the end. just wait and see.
i will advice my children to learn buddhism, study hard and achieve. if not later when we are not there they will have to live a life hating successful peoples privilleges.
-- by thushan on 2015-12-21
