THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: The government will hold negotiations with representatives of Kerala Government Medical Officers Association (KGMOA) which has launched a non-cooperation movement. Health minister K.K. Shailaja is scheduled to meet KGMOA members to discuss demands raised by the association especially those concerning the anomalies in pay panel recommendations. “The government has agreed for discussions on Tuesday to sort out pending issues. Our demands are genuine since we have got a rough deal in the pay revision,” said KGMOA state secretary Dr Raoof K.A.
The doctors had decided to boycott activities to protest against government’s failure to rectify anomalies in salary. The doctors are boycotting all evaluation meetings at the level of district medical officers. These meetings are crucial to finalise strategy for disease prevention and control especially in the wake of dengue, chikungunya, malaria and typhoid being reported from various parts of the state.
According to KGMOA, there is widespread resentment among 4,800 doctors of health service department because of the rough deal given to them in the Pay Revision Panel recommendations. The health authorities, however, said the doctors' non cooperation movement would not affect the health care services in hospitals. All emergency requirements, OP duties, immunisation camps would continue to function in a normal way. However, pre-arranged camps might get affected by the stir.
