PHIs protest over allowances, lingering work issues
As the dengue incidence rises, Public Health Inspectors (PHIs) have withdrawn from dengue prevention duties as of Wednesday, citing several demands.
Speaking to the Sunday Times, secretary of the PHI Union of Sri Lanka Shanaka Bopitiyage said that PHIs have taken this collective action to seek solutions to several occupational issues, including a non-increase in transport allowances.
All dengue control activities, including surveillance and fogging, have been halted.
“As of 2016, a monthly conveyance allowance of Rs. 1,200 was provided per 600 km, which is not adequate. Therefore, over the years, failure to increase mileage and transport allowances for field duties has affected all PHIs as existing allowances are not in proportion with the rising cost of living and fuel prices,” Mr. Bopitiyage said.
In the meantime, it has been observed that additional medical officers of health in certain areas have been conferred the duties of medical officers of health, which often creates confusion. PHIs want this to be addressed.
Moreover, Mr. Bopitiyage stressed that the conduct of the Diploma in Public Health and Management has reached a standstill since 2016, posing challenges to internal promotions. They ask the government to re-implement the diploma programme.
PHIs were off duty on October 29, 30, and 31. On November 8, all reports provided by PHIs were suspended, and participation in all meetings, including progress reviews, was discontinued.
The PHI Union has further reached a decision to withdraw from all infectious disease control activities as of November 22. A resolution was adopted to withdraw from all field duties and remain in offices from November 1. If the issues remain unresolved, it was agreed to hold protests and marches at the provincial level on November 15 in front of the Ministry of Health.
PHIs, being on the frontlines of vector control and playing a pivotal role in creating and retaining a health system in the face of infectious diseases, call for a quick fix in correcting defects among them to prevent impending collapses in the healthcare system.