The Government Medical Officers’ Association (GMOA) yesterday called for a Presidential intervention to halt the outsourcing of the laundry in government hospitals to an Indian Company.
GMOA Secretary Dr Haritha Aluthge warned that all health service trade unions would unite in fighting against such projects.
Dr. Aluthge said the parties involved in washing hospital linen had been registered with and certified by the Health Ministry after calling for tenders. They were experienced and met the required standards. Some Sri Lankan politicians acted as agents of foreign countries. They were responsible for selling government institutions and services to foreign companies, Dr. Aluthge said.
He added the Government Hospital Washermen’s Union said up to date they had not received a complaint that Beira Lake waster was used for washing hospital linen.
The GMOA Ex-co member said that the Minister’s comment regarding the use of clean water had created a dilemma for the GMOA for it was yet to figure out as to whether this clean water was to be brought from India or whether linen was to be sent to India to be washed and brought back to Sri Lanka.
Dr. Aluthge said that the GMOA had warned that the Economic and Technology Corporation Agreement (ETCA) would threaten the services and professions in Sri Lanka. Now, it was obvious that not even small enterprises and family trade would be safe with it.
Courtesy: The Island
