Trincomalee medical officers suspend boycott

[TamilNet, Tuesday, 18 September 2007, 10:56 GMT]
The boycott by medical officers and health workers in the Trincomalee general hospital Tuesday morning demanding that they should be provided with security from armed groups was withdrawn later in the day following an assurance given by the Trincomalee police, Dr.Mudditha Palliaguruge, North-East Co-ordinator of the Government Medical Officers Union (GMOA) said in Colombo.

Medical officers and workers in the Trincomalee general hospital took the trade union action following threat, intimidation and extortion by armed groups.

Senior Superintendent of Police (SSP) in east port town Mr.Neville Padmadeva rushed to the hospital and held talks with the Medical Superintendent of the hospital Dr.Ms Gowshi Gnanagunalan. The SSP assured the medical authorities that he would take appropriate action against armed groups that had intimidated medical officers, sources said.