The Government Medical Officers’ Association has requested the public to continue to wear face masks at large gatherings even though the government has decided to relax the mask mandate.
Speaking to media, Secretary of the GMOA Dr. Senal Fernando said the number of hospitalisations of patients suffering from respiratory issues is minimal due to adhering to health guidelines including wearing masks and using hand sanitizers.
Dr. Fernando claimed that country’s health system is on the brink of collapse due to the fuel and medicine shortages.
He said the decrease in patients suffering from respiratory conditions is a great concession in order to conserve the medicine stocks.
The GMOA Secretary urged the public to adhere to health regulations when attending ongoing protests and other gatherings.
On a separate note, the GMOA said the Ministry of Health is unaware of the seriousness of the situation which has arisen due to the medicine shortages.
Member of the GMOA Media Committee Dr. Hansamal Weerasuriya said all activities in the health sector will be disrupted in the next three weeks.
Dr. Weerasuriya said the GMOA called on the Health Ministry and the public to assist in every manner possible to save the country from the prevailing dire situation.
He said the Health Ministry and the government have disregarded all proposals and recommendations made by the Association.
Dr. Weerasuriya said the Ministry has thus far failed to conduct a stringent audit on medicine stocks at hospitals and to establish a technical committee to reach necessary decisions on the matter.
He said the public will be forced to face the consequences of the negligence of the Health Ministry.
Dr. Weerasuriya said the GMOA siding with the public vehemently opposes the actions of the Ministry.
