373. When The Healers Are On The War Path Because Of Duty Free Vehicle Permits

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Doctors to strike tomorrow

All government doctors have decided to launch an island wide strike starting at 8 am tomorrow demanding the authorities to restore the duty-free vehicle permit concession, the Govt. Medical Officers’ Association (GMOA) announced.

Spokesman Dr. Naveen Zoysa said that initially they would launch the strike from 8 am to 4 pm tomorrow. “We would decide whether to continue with the strike or not at 4 pm tomorrow,” he said.

Daily Mirror 02-12-2015

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Revised Hippocratic Oath for GMOA Members Formulated by World Health Organization - Additions are (within brackets) and In Red

I swear to fulfill, to the best of my ability and judgment, this covenant:

I will respect the hard-won scientific gains of those physicians in whose steps I walk, (and whom I will follow in my duty free vehicle) and gladly share such knowledge as is mine with those who are to follow (in their duty free vehicles)

I will apply, for the benefit of the sick, all measures which are required, (If my duty free vehicle permit is not withdrawn) avoiding those twin traps of over treatment and therapeutic nihilism (and avoiding pot holes on the road while driving my duty free vehicle)

I will remember that there is art to medicine as well as science, and that warmth, sympathy, and understanding may outweigh the surgeon's knife or the chemist's drug (but may not outweigh the duty free vehicle permit)

I will not be ashamed to say "I know not," (nor I will be ashamed to refuse to treat patients if my duty free vehicle permit is withdrawn) nor will I fail to call in my colleagues (who would be coming in driving their duty free vehicles) when the skills of another are needed for a patient's recovery.

I will respect the privacy of my patients, (and cherish my duty free vehicle permit) for their problems are not disclosed to me that the world may know. Most especially must I tread with care (and drive carefully in my duty free vehicle) in matters of life and death. If it is given me to save a life, all thanks. But it may also be within my power to take a life; this awesome responsibility must be faced with great humility and awareness of my own frailty. Above all, I must not play at God, (but drive like a God in my duty free vehicle to my private practice) 

I will remember that I do not treat a fever chart, a cancerous growth, but a sick human being, whose illness may affect the person's family and economic stability. My responsibility includes these related problems, if I am to care adequately for the sick, (and only if my duty free vehicle permit is issued)

I will prevent disease whenever I can, for prevention is preferable to cure (and duty free vehicle permit  is preferable to a patient's life)

I will remember that I remain a member of society, (and an owner of a duty free vehicle) with special obligations to all my fellow human beings, (such as refusing to treat them because my duty free vehicle permit is withdrawn), those sound of mind and body as well as the infirm.

If I do not violate this oath, may I enjoy life and art, (and the comfort of a duty free vehicle) respected while I live and remembered with affection (as an owner of a duty free vehicle) thereafter. May I always act so as to preserve the finest traditions of my calling and may I long experience the joy of healing those who seek my help (and the joy of driving a duty free vehicle)

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Healer, Please ....Heal Thyself!!!!