The Government Medical Officers’ Association (GMOA) has confirmed that it will continue and further escalate its trade union action across the island in response to unresolved issues in Sri Lanka’s public health system.

The GMOA, representing thousands of government doctors, has been conducting ongoing trade union measures aimed at pressuring the Ministry of Health and the government to address a range of professional and administrative concerns. While previous actions included limiting services such as prescribing unavailable medicines and referring patients for external tests, the association now plans to deepen the action due to what it describes as a lack of meaningful engagement from authorities.

Under the expanded trade union action, members will cease issuing prescriptions for medicines and equipment not currently available at hospital pharmacies, suspend referrals for outside tests, and withdraw from voluntary duties such as politically organised health camps. Doctors will also limit their work to officially assigned roles, with specialists restricting services to their designated hospitals — a move meant to underline the urgency of their demands.

The GMOA says its action is intended to safeguard Sri Lanka’s free public healthcare system and to push for structural changes, including proper staffing levels, improved allowances, and formal recognition of doctors within a distinct medical service category.