Government Medical Professionals Association (GMPA) in a statement yesterday warned that catastrophic health disaster is imminent in the country.

Following is the full statement issued by GMPA President Dr. Lakshman Edirisinghe.

We, the Government Medical Professionals Association, are shocked and dismayed to acknowledge that the entire health system of Sri Lanka is about to collapse within a few days.

In spite of valiant efforts by every individual in all walks of health care within the Government health sector, it is inevitable that all services within the sector will collapse in a few days. Such potential collapse was foreseen and warned in advance by GMPA as well as many health sector trade unions and cries made to relevant authorities have fallen on deaf ears.

We have long shown that the ever-dwindling resources in the health sector needs to be scientifically and rationally prioritised and every necessary resource should be made available for the health sector to be kept afloat for the sake of the health of the entire country. We are astonished how and why the vital health aid provided by international agencies and foreign expats were not efficiently and effectively used to prevent this disaster. We have repeatedly highlighted that managing human resources within the health sector is as vital as the medical and other supplies. Health care workers must be able to travel to their workplace on a 24 x 7 basis in order to maintain uninterrupted health services. Health institutions need adequate transport facilities to maintain their supplies as well as transport of patients.

It is absolutely distorting to note that no individual in any responsible post or position has taken any reasonable measure to mitigate this situation. Healthcare workers are left to fend for themselves and find their own means of transport, services and management. It seems that the entire health sector is in anarchy.

It is our understanding that the severe constraints on the health services are reaching the breaking point. An immediate change in the governing system could only arrest the crisis and bring back normalcy.

The Government Medical Professionals Association urges and pledges its full support to all citizens of Sri Lanka to unite and engage peacefully protesting against the failed rulers in order to establish a proper government which could steer this country out of this misery. 

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