The Association of Medical Specialists have also joined the hartal campaign across the island.
The Association said the Executive Committee engaged in discussions, and decided to join the hartal, in a manner that the public is not inconvenienced.
Accordingly, the Association decided to function as usual at government hospitals and to attend to all emergency treatment, and engage in the hartal during the lunch hour with other hospital health workers.
The Association also decided to abstain from engaging in private channelling services while emergency medical services in the private sector will be carried out.
Meanwhile, the All Ceylon Government Medical Officers’ Association says all members and health staff except those attached to the Apeksha Cancer Hospital, maternity and paediatric hospitals will engage the hartal today.
They claim that a number of serious issues exist in the health service, including a shortage of medicine and medical equipment, as well as salary deductions, and charged that government intervention cannot be witnessed.
The Association said the current government and the President must step down.
Meanwhile, the Government Medical Officers Association will also support the hartal campaign today.
Secretary of the GMOA Dr. Senal Fernando said doctors will take to the streets opposite hospitals between noon and 2pm in an act of solidarity towards the hartal.
Dr. Fernando said the hartal will be worked off at all hospitals across the island.
He said doctors and health workers will wear black bands in support of the protests.
Dr. Fernando added they are demanding the government to end the corrupt rule and heed public requests for a system change.
He said the GMOA opposes the present government’s actions.
