THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: With the government yet to reach out to Medical Joint Action Committee on the issue of increase of retirement age of doctors from 60 to 62, junior doctors are all set to go ahead with their indefinite strike from December 23. Although the government had assured to hold negotiations with the junior doctors, no meaningful discussions have taken place so far. "Earlier the minister’s office had invited us for discussions. But the meeting could not take place till late evening as minister was not available. We want to convey our concerns about the decision directly to the minister," said Dr Rahul U. R., MJAC president.
The doctors are not willing to settle for anything less that complete roll back of the decision. The proposed indefinite strike beginning from Saturday will cripple patient care services in the government medical college hospitals. Barring casualty, intensive care units and labor rooms, all other services including OPs, ward duties are likely to be severely affected by the strike. The MJAC will launch indefinite fast from December 25 if the government failed to respond positively to their indefinite strike. After the increase in retirement age from 55 to 60 in 2009 by the then LDF Government, there was a clear assurance that there would be no further increase in future.
That assurance has now been broken. The MJAC accused the government of spoiling the promotion prospects of junior faculty, adversely affecting appointments at the entry grade level and discourage young MBBS graduates opting for a successful medical profession.
