THIRUVNANTHAPURAM: Government doctors have decided to intensify their agitation from Monday by boycotting various health care services in the 1,250 hospitals and medical centres across the state.
Kerala Government Medical Officers Association (KGMOA) president S. Prameela Devi said the doctors would boycott specialty clinics, specialty outpatient wings, medical camps, field work and VIP duty.
The doctors have decided to step up the agitation in protest against the indifferent attitude of health minister V. S. Sivakumar.
The KGMOA said that instead of calling the doctors for talks to resolve the issue, the government was issuing provocative statements and threats to silence the association.
The association said it would consider suspending or withdrawing the stir only if the government agreed to withdraw the official order directing doctors for additional night duty hours. It has also demanded filling up the vacant posts in hospitals and health centres at the earliest.
“Some of the doctors are working up to 17 hours since there is no replacement to take over the next duty in many hospitals. The government, instead of filling up the posts, is putting additional burden on the existing doctors,” the KGMOA president said.
Meanwhile, minister Sivakumar directed the doctors to withdraw their strike which has caused huge problems to the poor patients.
He said it was unfortunate that despite inviting for talks and even holding discussions, a section of doctors were hell bent on continuing the agitation.
He said strict action would be initiated against doctors who had gone on a flash strike on Friday putting patients to great inconvenience across the state.
The minister said that steps would be taken to resolve the night duty issue after getting Dr Beena Committee report on duty hours and other service matters concerning doctors.
The committee has been allowed time till September 30 to submit its final report. The panel will be finalising its recommendations after speaking to all stakeholders — hospital superintendents, hospital development authorities, doctors and patients.
