Sri Lanka is grappling with a healthcare crisis as hospital orderlies and administrative staff across the country initiated a one-day strike over allowances amid the nation’s worst financial crisis in over seven decades. The strike has prompted the government to deploy hundreds of soldiers to key hospitals to provide non-medical support and ensure essential services continue.
The financial crisis in Sri Lanka has led to a soaring cost of living, prompting the government to implement measures such as tax increases and limitations on public employees’ perks. The strain on the economy has particularly impacted the public healthcare system, which is already grappling with challenges such as healthcare worker migration, reduced public healthcare expenditure, and rising costs.
In response to the strike, military spokesman Major General Rasika Kumara confirmed that 615 soldiers and 19 officers have been deployed at 25 hospitals. Their responsibilities include non-medical support tasks such as offloading ambulances, assisting with patient movement, and record-keeping.
Sri Lanka’s public healthcare system, once vibrant, is facing significant challenges, and the strike further exacerbates the strain on services. The migration of healthcare workers, cost increases, and reduced expenditure have collectively contributed to the system’s struggles.
The strike was triggered by the Cabinet’s approval of a monthly transport allowance of 70,000 rupees ($214) specifically for doctors. This decision led to protests from other healthcare workers who argue that all hospital staff involved in providing critical care to patients should receive equal treatment.
Ravi Kumudesh, the convenor of the Health Services Trade Union Alliance, expressed the sentiment of healthcare workers, stating, “Health care workers deserve to be treated the same. The government is giving relief to doctors but leaving out other hospital staff who are also part of giving critical care to patients. That is why they are on strike.”
The strike highlights the disparities in the distribution of allowances and perks within the health care sector, emphasizing the need for a comprehensive and equitable approach to address the concerns of all healthcare workers. As the crisis unfolds, the deployment of soldiers to hospitals underscores the urgency of maintaining essential healthcare services amid the ongoing challenges facing the nation.
