Government Hospital PSM'S Re Launched Their Strike

The government professionals  of supplementary to medicine (PSM) have  relaunched their suspended island wide strike this morning after the talks held yesterday (15th) between  their trade union officials  and Health and Treasury authorities over the PSM'S 10 service demands ended up without a proper solution.The PSM compromising government pharmacists,Medical Laboratory Technicians (MLT's),Radiographers,Physiotherapists and Occupational Therapists relaunched their strike action  around 8 a.m today by withdrawing even emergency services at  government hospitals according to sources.


Due to this strike issuing of drugs to opd and indoor patients ,performing blood and urine tests and taking x rays and CT Scans in government hospitals are halted and tens of thousands of patients are under went severe hardships according to hospital sources.


Earlier The Joint Council Of Professions Supplementary To Medicine who  launched an  island wide continuous strike action on Tuesday(13) had temporarily suspended their strike action  yesterday morning to facilitate the talks held with authorities . 
 

Colombo High Court Judge Acquitted Gen.Sarath Fonseka From Hi Corp Case

The Colombo High Court Judge today(15) acquitted and dismissed all the charges leveled against imprisoned former sri lankan army commander General Sarath Fonseka from the Hi Corp Case filed against him by stating that general fonseka cannot be sentenced twice for the same offense.

The former army commander has  already sentenced under Hi Corp case.

The 25 page judgment of High Court Judge Sunil Rajapaksha has stated that according to the law and judicial procedure in the country accusing a person twice on the same offense is unjustified and therefore retired general sarath fonseka acquitted from above charges.However the court fixed a trial against general fonseka's son in law Danuna Thilakaratne who was also charged in the same case scheduled to be heard in absentia on 03rd of May.

Sri Lankans Swallowing 45-50 million Paracetamol Tablets Per Month

A study has found that Sri Lankans are swallowing 45-50 million Paracetamol Tablets per month according to the  secretary to the Health Ministry Dr.Ravindra Ruberu.Due to the large amount of Paracetamol swallowed by Sri Lankans several cases of poisoning  paracetamol have also been reported  as a result of taking overdose Dr.Ruberu has said.


Due to this situation the Ministry Of Health has instructed all government hospital directors to examined the exact amount of paracetamol tablets need per patient in government hospitals and issued the tablets accordingly he stressed.

3 Out Of 13 Infant Deaths At Mahamodara Teaching Hospital PBU Due To Bacterial Infection

The inquiry  report issued on 13 infant deaths reported from the premature baby unit(PBU) of one of the leading government hospitals in southern province the Mahamodara Teaching Hospital has stated that only 3 infant deaths out of 13 deaths occurred due to Bacterial infection and other 10 infants died due to natural causes of their illnesses.

Addressing the media on the report findings today (13th) at health education bureau this morning the health ministry secretary Dr.Ravindra Ruberu has said that the specialists who conducted the inquiry stated in their  report that the deaths of 6 infants caused by  critical condition they were in.However the health secretary has failed to revealed what caused the spreading of bacteria in the PBU of Mahamodara Teaching Hospital and the state of the unit at present.However he stressed that the bacterial infection of this kind can be occurred in any PBU in the world and it's not an extraordinary thing to happen.



The PBU of Mahamodara Teaching Hospital was closed on 09th of March following the deaths of 13 infant deaths reported during last two months suspected as may have due to a bacterial infection.The Ministry of Health was appointed a group of specialists to investigate on the incident and the group concluded the inquiry and handed over their report to director general of health services dr.ajith mendis yesterday (12th).

PSM Strike Paralyzed Government Hospital Services

Due to the Continuous Island Wide strike launched by Professions Supplementary To Medicine (PSM) attached to Government Hospitals today (13) the functioning of Outdoor Patients Department (OPD) Pharmacies,Path Labs,X Ray/C.T Scan Units and Physiotherapy Units were paralyzed and hundreds and thousands of patients faced severe hardships according to  hospital sources.

Due to the closure of above units runs by Professions Supplementary To Medicine compromising Government Pharmacists,Radiographers,Medical Laboratory Technicians (MLT'S),Physiotherapists and Occupational Therapists the distribution of Medicine ,performing of blood,urine samples and x ray/c.t scan tests were halted and only emergency services at Intensive Care Units (ICU'S) are functioning normally the sources said.

PSM'S are on strike demanding solutions for 10 of their service demands including increasing of their allowances and giving delayed promotions for their senior service personal,A discussion held between the members of Joint Council of Professions Supplementary To Medicine and  Health Ministry Secretary Dr.Ravindra Ruberu held yesterday regarding these demands was failed completely according to the union.

Government Hospital PSM'S To Launch Island Wide Continuous Strike Tomorrow (13)

The Professions Supplementary To Medicine (PSM) attached to Government Hospitals have decided to launch an Island Wide Continuous Strike from tomorrow (13th) demanding acceptable solutions for their 10 service demands.According to General Secretary of Joint Council Of Professions Supplementary To Medicine Mr.Saman Jayasekera they hold around 7 discussions with Government Officials during last few months but failed to received any favorable response on their demands.

Around 5000 Professions Supplementary To Medicine Officers compromising Government Pharmacists,Radiographers,Medical Laboratory Technicians(MLT's), Physiotherapists and Occupational Therapists are due to join this strike which commenced at 8 a.m on Tuesday morning while the PSM's attached to  Lady Ridgway Children's,Castle Street Women's ,De Soyza Maternity and ,Maharagama Cancer Hospitals are refrain from strike due to humanitarian reasons he stressed.

GMOA To Take Trade Union Action Against Not Increasing DAT Allowance

The Central Committee of  Government Medical Officers Association (GMOA)has  scheduled to meet tomorrow(11) noon to decide their  future trade union action against not increasing the Government Doctor's Disturbance and Transport Allowance (DAT)by Rs.14,000.The GMOA wants to increase Doctors Disturbance And Transport Allowance to Rs.29,000 from current position Rs.15,000.