-By Dr. Prageeth Athauda
(Lanka-e-News -02.March.2026, 8.10 PM) The recent announcement by the Government Medical Officers’ Association (GMOA) to withdraw from the Arogya project is deeply disappointing and strongly condemnable.
It must be clearly stated that all health trade unions, including the GMOA, were fully informed about the Arogya project from its inception. Extensive discussions were held under the leadership of the Ministry of Health, and opportunities were provided for constructive input. Therefore, claims of being inadequately informed are misleading and unjustifiable.
The core objective of the Arogya project is to strengthen primary healthcare by bringing services closer to the people.
It aims to:
1. Improve accessibility and convenience of primary healthcare facilities.
2. Ensure early diagnosis of non-communicable diseases (NCDs).
3. Facilitate early detection of common cancers.
4. Gradually shift OPD and clinic patient load from secondary and tertiary hospitals to nearby primary healthcare centres, reducing congestion and improving efficiency across the system.
This initiative is designed purely for the benefit of the people of Sri Lanka. Any attempt to obstruct or sabotage such a people-centered healthcare reform must be viewed as a serious act against public welfare.
It is evident that the actions of the GMOA Executive Committee are being driven by political agendas aligned with opposition figures who were rejected by the people at the ballot box. If professional bodies are being used as instruments to advance defeated political interests, it is an unacceptable misuse of the medical profession.
It is important to note that this issue does not represent the views of the majority of GMOA members. Many dedicated doctors across the country understand the importance of strengthening primary healthcare and would not support actions that undermine public health progress.
We call upon the broader membership of the GMOA to stand against such politically motivated disruptions and align themselves with the interests of the common Sri Lankan people and the democratically elected government.
Supporting narrow agendas will not bring any benefit to the medical profession; rather, it risks eroding public trust and goodwill toward doctors.
Healthcare reform should never become a platform for power struggles. The well-being of the people must remain the highest priority.
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by (2026-03-02 15:06:54)
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