News Today: Health Professionals Launch Token Strike Over Salary Anomalies, Urging Government Action

The Association of Health Professionals (AHP) has commenced a 24-hour token strike from 7:00 AM today, according to its convener, Ravi Kumudesh. The strike is in response to unresolved salary anomalies, as discussions with the Finance Ministry failed to yield a satisfactory outcome.

Speaking to reporters, Kumudesh expressed frustration over the ministry’s approach, stating that despite efforts to provide technical solutions, the authorities have imposed impractical and ineffective measures.

Health Professionals Demand Practical Solutions from the Government

Kumudesh emphasized that while the strike will last for 24 hours, all emergency and essential healthcare services will continue as usual. He assured that pediatric hospitals, maternity hospitals, cancer hospitals, kidney hospitals, and mental health institutions would not be affected by the strike.

Furthermore, he urged the Finance and Health Ministries to seek political intervention to resolve the matter, as the current administrative framework is inadequate for addressing the issue.

He also noted that the AHP has submitted viable technical solutions to the Finance Ministry, stressing that effective financial management is crucial to rectifying salary anomalies and ensuring fairness in the healthcare sector.

Previous Strike Over Budget Proposals

This is not the first time the Association of Health Professionals has taken industrial action. On March 5th, AHP launched a strike to protest against the current Budget proposals, which included cuts to allowances and salary structure complications. However, the strike was temporarily suspended following discussions with Health and Media Minister Nalinda Jayatissa.

With today’s strike, the AHP continues to press for urgent solutions, warning that if authorities fail to act, further action may follow.