Thursday, July 14, 2005
Health workers complain of indifference to demands by officials
By Damitha Hemachandra
Friday, July 08, 2005
Health Services Trade Union Alliance (HSTUA) yesterday staged a protest opposite the Health Ministry against what they called the indifference shown by the health officials to the demands and the working situation of the health officials.
HSTUA President, Saman Rathnapriya told the Daily Mirror that health officials had so far failed to respond to the demands of the health workers with a view to force them to take up trade union action and tarnish the image of the free health service in the country in the eyes of the public.
The HSTUA demands include the issuing of a circular to correct salary scales as fixed by the budget, amendments to grades and portfolios to create a quality health service, providing junior health workers with training and introducing a new post of health assistant to assist Junior Health Workers.
Rathnapriya said despite reminding and peaceful campaigns launched by the HSTUA the Health Ministry had refused to grant or discuss the demands forcing them to seek trade union action and alleged that it was an attempt by the Ministry to disrupt public health service and hand over its operations to the private sector.
Meanwhile Ayurvedic health workers attached to government service will launch a two-day token strike starting from today with a protest march at the Borella Ayurvedic Hospital.
Dr. U.C.K.Samarakoon of the All Ceylon Health Services Union (ACHSU) said that the Ministry of Ayurveda had been ignoring the rights of the Ayurvedic workers for the past eleven months with mere lip service without granting a permanent solution to salary anomalies of the Ayurveda workers.
Friday, July 08, 2005
Health Services Trade Union Alliance (HSTUA) yesterday staged a protest opposite the Health Ministry against what they called the indifference shown by the health officials to the demands and the working situation of the health officials.
HSTUA President, Saman Rathnapriya told the Daily Mirror that health officials had so far failed to respond to the demands of the health workers with a view to force them to take up trade union action and tarnish the image of the free health service in the country in the eyes of the public.
The HSTUA demands include the issuing of a circular to correct salary scales as fixed by the budget, amendments to grades and portfolios to create a quality health service, providing junior health workers with training and introducing a new post of health assistant to assist Junior Health Workers.
Rathnapriya said despite reminding and peaceful campaigns launched by the HSTUA the Health Ministry had refused to grant or discuss the demands forcing them to seek trade union action and alleged that it was an attempt by the Ministry to disrupt public health service and hand over its operations to the private sector.
Meanwhile Ayurvedic health workers attached to government service will launch a two-day token strike starting from today with a protest march at the Borella Ayurvedic Hospital.
Dr. U.C.K.Samarakoon of the All Ceylon Health Services Union (ACHSU) said that the Ministry of Ayurveda had been ignoring the rights of the Ayurvedic workers for the past eleven months with mere lip service without granting a permanent solution to salary anomalies of the Ayurveda workers.
Hospital staff claim abuse by politico, media
By Damitha Hemachandra
Tuesday, July 12, 2005
The Negombo Base Hospital staff and doctors launched a token strike yesterday against what they called a campaign of abuse launched by a group of NGOs and the state media and urging the health authorities to take immediate action to stop it.
The hospital staff said that they would discontinue the admission of infants to the hospital’s Premature Baby Unit henceforth, close the Surgical Ward at 4.00 pm and suspend planned surgeries after 12.00 noon.
They also said the number of patients admitted to Wards would be limited to the number of beds in each ward and the patients checked at the OPD would be restricted.
Meanwhile, the GMOA said this ‘unfounded accusations’ levelled at the Negombo Base Hospital staff could affect the country’s public health service.
“The medical staff of the country had been performing a commendable duty in managing the public health service on par with health services in developed countries under minimum facilities,” GMOA secretary Uditha Herath said.
He further alleged that a regional politician, who was attempting to build Paying Ward complex with the funds allocated for the development of the hospital, was trying to undermine the services by the hospital with the assistance of a brother who was appointed to a government media station recently.
Dr. Herath said if any mistreatments or misdiagnosis had been committed by the hospital medical staff, the Health Ministry should take action against those concerned.
“Since the investigations have proved that there had been no mistreatment, further accusations are baseless and malicious,” he said.
The GMOA also urged the Health Ministry to implement recommendations made by the Association to assure patients’ rights in general.
Tuesday, July 12, 2005
The Negombo Base Hospital staff and doctors launched a token strike yesterday against what they called a campaign of abuse launched by a group of NGOs and the state media and urging the health authorities to take immediate action to stop it.
The hospital staff said that they would discontinue the admission of infants to the hospital’s Premature Baby Unit henceforth, close the Surgical Ward at 4.00 pm and suspend planned surgeries after 12.00 noon.
They also said the number of patients admitted to Wards would be limited to the number of beds in each ward and the patients checked at the OPD would be restricted.
Meanwhile, the GMOA said this ‘unfounded accusations’ levelled at the Negombo Base Hospital staff could affect the country’s public health service.
“The medical staff of the country had been performing a commendable duty in managing the public health service on par with health services in developed countries under minimum facilities,” GMOA secretary Uditha Herath said.
He further alleged that a regional politician, who was attempting to build Paying Ward complex with the funds allocated for the development of the hospital, was trying to undermine the services by the hospital with the assistance of a brother who was appointed to a government media station recently.
Dr. Herath said if any mistreatments or misdiagnosis had been committed by the hospital medical staff, the Health Ministry should take action against those concerned.
“Since the investigations have proved that there had been no mistreatment, further accusations are baseless and malicious,” he said.
The GMOA also urged the Health Ministry to implement recommendations made by the Association to assure patients’ rights in general.
Lay members can contest on JHU ticket
Thursday, July 14, 2005
The Jatika Hela Urumaya (JHU) had decided to provide an opportunity to lay members to contest the next Parliamentary election on the JHU ticket, JHU Media Secretary Nishantha Sri Warnasinghe said.
The JHU politburo had decided to field lay candidates on the party list revoking its previous decision to allow only bhikkhus to contest.
Mr. Warnasinghe also said the JHU is preparing itself to face a Parliamentary election, which he predicted would be round the corner soon.
“We are strengthening village-based organizations and holding small meetings to inform the public of misdeeds of the government,” he said adding that plans to launch islandwide bodu samuluwas to enlighten the public are being made.
The Jatika Hela Urumaya (JHU) had decided to provide an opportunity to lay members to contest the next Parliamentary election on the JHU ticket, JHU Media Secretary Nishantha Sri Warnasinghe said.
The JHU politburo had decided to field lay candidates on the party list revoking its previous decision to allow only bhikkhus to contest.
Mr. Warnasinghe also said the JHU is preparing itself to face a Parliamentary election, which he predicted would be round the corner soon.
“We are strengthening village-based organizations and holding small meetings to inform the public of misdeeds of the government,” he said adding that plans to launch islandwide bodu samuluwas to enlighten the public are being made.
Plan ready for WP solid waste disposal
By Damitha Hemachandra
Thursday, July 14, 2005
The Ministry of Environment is looking at the possibility of using an abandoned quarry at Mahara as a dumpingt site for the nearly 1000 tons garbage collected by the Western Province daily.
Addressing a workshop for the enhancement of legal frame work on waste management Minister A.H.M.Fowzie said that the Central Environment Authority (CEA) had concluded a Rs.1.8 million feasibility study on solid waste management for the western province,. The study performed under the National Strategy for Solid Waste Management provides a frame work for improved cooperation between the environmental authorities, the Urban Development Authority, Provincial Councils and local authorities in coordinating matters related to solid waste management.
The study also calls for the strict implementation of Reduce, Recycle and Re-use approach for tackling the solid waste problem. Importance of segregation of waste at the source of generation too is recommended as a must.
The study highlights the need of simple biological treatment since more than 80% of our household garbage are biodegradable. It stresses that all local authorities should take expert advice in establishing and operating their own compost plants while encouraging all the houses to have small compost barrels.
The Ministry of Environment and Natural Resources had taken several steps facilitating management of solid waste including the provision of technical assistance and funds for the local authorities.
The minister however revealed that some of the projects had failed due to lack of public cooperation and political commitment and called for strong political commitment in implementing effective solid waste management modes for Sri Lanka.
Thursday, July 14, 2005
The Ministry of Environment is looking at the possibility of using an abandoned quarry at Mahara as a dumpingt site for the nearly 1000 tons garbage collected by the Western Province daily.
Addressing a workshop for the enhancement of legal frame work on waste management Minister A.H.M.Fowzie said that the Central Environment Authority (CEA) had concluded a Rs.1.8 million feasibility study on solid waste management for the western province,. The study performed under the National Strategy for Solid Waste Management provides a frame work for improved cooperation between the environmental authorities, the Urban Development Authority, Provincial Councils and local authorities in coordinating matters related to solid waste management.
The study also calls for the strict implementation of Reduce, Recycle and Re-use approach for tackling the solid waste problem. Importance of segregation of waste at the source of generation too is recommended as a must.
The study highlights the need of simple biological treatment since more than 80% of our household garbage are biodegradable. It stresses that all local authorities should take expert advice in establishing and operating their own compost plants while encouraging all the houses to have small compost barrels.
The Ministry of Environment and Natural Resources had taken several steps facilitating management of solid waste including the provision of technical assistance and funds for the local authorities.
The minister however revealed that some of the projects had failed due to lack of public cooperation and political commitment and called for strong political commitment in implementing effective solid waste management modes for Sri Lanka.
