The health department has a shortage of 1,000 doctors at the moment
(Representational image)
THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: Health care services in the government-run institutions were severely affected following the mass casual leave taken by doctors in support of their demands on Friday.
The strike called by the Kerala Government Medical Officers Association affected services in 1,250-odd health institutions, including primary health centres, community health centres, taluk and district hospitals.
Hundreds of patients had a harrowing time as all services in hospitals barring casualty came to a standstill following the sudden strike.
The doctors’ demands include steps to fill up vacant posts and immediate withdrawal of the order on extra night duty hours.
The health department has a shortage of 1,000 doctors at the moment. The KGMOA decided to continue its relay hunger strike in front of the secretariat in support of its demands.
Health Minister V.S. Sivakumar warned of strict action against the striking doctors. He said the flash strike was inhuman as it created problems for the poor patients.
Besides Thiruvananthapuram, the strike hit health services in the central and northern parts of the state. In Ernakulam district, more than 400 doctors boycotted duty.
In the general hospital, 70 doctors are members of the KGMOA. Only two doctors were on duty to attend to emergency cases.
A board announcing that doctors are on leave was displayed at the outpatient section. Hundreds of patients, including cardiac, from far-off places waited in front of the OP counter for long hours.
In Aluva, the strike was total. More than 35 doctors of Aluva district hospital boycotted duty while the casualty section and dialysis centre functioned.
Other taluk hospitals and PHCs in the district were also affected. In Kollam, a total of 15 out of 45 doctors of the district hospital took leave.
Operation theatre assistants and casualty doctors were present, said Dr S. Usha, hospital superintendent.
Some of the primary health centres in rural areas did not function and the patients had to go to taluk and district hospitals for treatment.
The strike hit all the government hospitals in Alappuzha district. Dr Sabu Sugathan, state committee member, KGMOA, said 300 doctors took part of the protest while casualty services were unaffected.
“As many as 22 primary health centres, district and general hospitals and five taluk hospitals were crippled,” he said.
( Source : deccan chronicle )
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