Thiruvananthapuram: The Medical Joint Action Committee comprising junior doctors has decided to go on an indefinite strike in government medical college hospitals from Friday to protest against the breach of assurance given by health minister to raise retirement age demand in Cabinet.
MJAC leaders told media persons here that the health minister had given an assurance on December 22 that their demand to roll back the government decision to increase retirement age of doctors from 60 to 62 years will be discussed at the Cabinet. Following her assurance, junior doctors had even deferred their indefinite strike planned from December 23.
However, the minister apparently failed to bring their demands before the Cabinet. Now there was no option but to go on indefinite strike from Friday.
The MJAC leaders said strike notice had been given to the principals of the respective medical colleges. PG doctors, senior residents, house surgeons, dental PG students will take part in the strike beginning from 8 am. MBBS and dental students will organise strike in solidarity with junior doctors.
Outpatient (OP) and inpatient (IP) services are likely to be seriously affected in government medical college hospitals. Patient care services including OP wings, wards will be severely affected. Casualty emergency services, ICUs and labor rooms have been exempted from the strike.
The MJAC reminded the government that after raising the retirement age of medical college doctors from 55 to 60 in 2009, there was categorical assurance from the then health minister that there would be no further raise in the retirement age. Other doctors organisations like Kerala Government Medical College Association (KGMCTA) have also opposed the decision alleging that it would spoil promotion prospects of lower and middle level faculty.
Minister warns of stern action against Jr Docs
Health Minister K.K. Shylaja on Thursday said the indefinite strike called by junior doctors from Friday was unwarranted. She urged the junior doctors to withdraw their strike call as it would affect the poor patients who cannot afford treatment in private hospitals. If the doctors fail to respond positively, the government will deal with their strike sternly.
The minister said the Director of Medical Education has been asked to be in touch with the superintendents of all government medical college hospitals for taking required steps to meet the strike. The officials have been directed to make alternative arrangements should the junior doctors stay away from work on Friday.
Minister warns of stern action against Jr Docs
Health Minister K.K. Shylaja on Thursday said the indefinite strike called by junior doctors from Friday was unwarranted. She urged the junior doctors to withdraw their strike call as it would affect the poor patients who cannot afford treatment in private hospitals. If the doctors fail to respond positively, the government will deal with their strike sternly.
The minister said the Director of Medical Education has been asked to be in touch with the superintendents of all government medical college hospitals for taking required steps to meet the strike. The officials have been directed to make alternative arrangements should the junior doctors stay away from work on Friday.
