by Dilanthi Jayamanne
The doctors and the entire staff of the Colombo North (Ragama) Hospital struck work on Mondaydemanding more security for the staffers. According to the Co-ordinating Secretary of the Ragama Government Medical Officers Branch, Uditha Herath the hospital staff went on strike after a house officer had been assaulted in Ward No. 5 of the hospital on Sunday by a group of people.

The dispute arose when six persons who brought in an army Lieutenant to the surgical casualty ward of the Ragama Teaching Hospital, assaulted the house officer who was on duty at the time. Dr. Herath said that the persons who had brought in the army casualty had interfered in the house officer’s work which had led to an argument between the two parties. "The six persons, it is alleged, had taken the house officer to another ward following the argument and assaulted him."

He said that the assailants had attacked the other staffers who had come to the rescue of the house officer when they heard the cries of the victim.

"Anyone can enter the hospital at their will. There are three wheelers and hired vehicles parked within the hospital premises. The security is very lax," he lamented.

The Co-ordinating Secretary said, "We want at least two police officers outside the gate while all parked vehicles should be removed from within the hospital premises. Only two should accompany the patient," he stressed. "We also want the wrongdoers to be arrested," he said.

Dr. Herath said that they would carry out their strike today (September 18) as well if the relevant authorities did not provide them their demands by 8 a.m. today (18).

General Secretary of the GMOA, Dr. Anuruddha Padeniya said that the situation was not unusual for the Ragama Hospital mostly due to the political interference. "Several other incidents of robberies and minor thefts have taken place in the hospital quarters alone. The long arm of the law has to be brought into the hospital in the strictest possible way," he added.