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| Tuesday, 24 August 2004 |
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by Bharatha Malawaraarachchi Hospital authorities yesterday claimed they were maintaining a satisfactory service despite the para-medics' trade union campaign. Para-medics including X-ray and ECG technicians and medical laboratory technicians are refraining from on call and extra duties demanding authorities to meet their usual "piece rate" payment. Accordingly, they will not work from 12.00 noon to 2.00 pm and 4.00 pm to 8.00 am. Hospital authorities claimed that though the work to rule had affected the routine service, alternative arrangements were in place ensure a normal service. "We have now taken alternative measures and accordingly, samples are sent to the private sector hospitals for testing while X-ray and CT scans are also done at the same hospitals," Colombo National Hospital Director Dr. Hector Weerasinghe told the Daily News. Dr. Weerasinghe said these measures had helped them maintain the services without any further dispute. Earlier, hospital authorities lamented that the trade union action was unjustified. "Their demand to make the piece rate payment is unjustifiable given the fact all other employees are only given overtime for working extra hours," officials said. Officials said the para-medics had earned sizable amounts through this piece rate payment system where they get an extra for each case done by them after normal duty hours. "While all others including doctors are paid overtime calculating the hours they have worked, it is unreasonable for one group to be paid in a different manner for working extra hours," the official noted. Amidst this trade union campaign by para-medics, hospital authorities are seeking private hospital assistance for X-rays and other laboratory tests. Meanwhile, the Government Medical Officers Association (GMOA) yesterday said their members are ready to cover ECG technicians duties when they withdraw from emergency services. "Our members and doctors following internship are ready to do the ECG tests if such equipment are provided to us," a GMOA statement said. |
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