Doctors to Launch Union Action Over Irregular Medical Transfers

The Government Medical Officers’ Association (GMOA) has announced that it will launch trade union action on Monday (11) in protest against serious irregularities in the 2025 medical transfer process.
As a first step, all doctors awaiting post-internship appointments and those currently serving in difficult stations have been summoned to the GMOA headquarters tomorrow (7) to discuss the next course of action.
According to the GMOA, irregularities in the medical transfer process have triggered a broader crisis affecting the entire healthcare system. A key concern is the nine-month delay in publishing the 2025 transfer list, which was due in November 2024 but was only released in July 2025.
The GMOA also alleges that the Public Service Commission, through manipulation of the appeals process, removed 78 approved posts from the list and illegally created new vacancies for selected individuals. These actions, the union claims, undermine transparency and discourage service in rural and under-resourced hospitals, pushing such institutions toward closure.
In addition, the union has condemned the irregular preparation of the post-internship vacancy list, which it says was compiled outside established procedures, further destabilizing the health sector.
On 1 August, the GMOA held discussions with the Minister of Health. During the meeting, the Minister acknowledged the issues and pledged to address them. However, the union says no meaningful action has been taken since. In a separate meeting with the Chairman of the Public Service Commission, the GMOA submitted a formal complaint against the Director of Medical Services, and the Chairman reportedly agreed to initiate an investigation.
The GMOA has warned that unless urgent corrective measures are taken, the entire health service risks collapse, placing patients in danger due to medicine shortages and disruptions to hospital operations. The union holds the Ministry of Health—and specifically the Director of Medical Services—responsible for the worsening situation.