Sri Lanka, March 2 -- The Government Medical Officers' Association (GMOA) has escalated its ongoing trade union action by withdrawing doctors from duties at the newly established Primary Health Care Units.

GMOA Secretary Dr. Prabath Sugathadasa told the Daily Mirror that, under current conditions, the new units are unnecessary and cannot function effectively without addressing the existing challenges.

"When there are serious concerns over staffing shortages and systemic issues in the state health sector, we don't see any need for these units," he said.

Since February 18, regional health officials have also stopped submitting crucial data to the Health Ministry's central database, a system considered vital for the coordination and smoot...