Medical students in all government medical colleges in the State — house surgeons and postgraduate residents — stayed away from hospital duties on Tuesday in protest against the government’s decision to increase the retirement age of doctors in Medical Education Service and Health Service.
Undergraduate students (MBBS) too stayed away from classes on Tuesday, to express their solidarity with the striking medicos.
While ward duties in hospitals were affected, emergency wing, labour room and intensive care units were spared from the strike and hence the public were not put to much difficulties.
Talks between the Kerala Medicos Joint Action Council (KMJAC) and the Director of Medical Education on Monday to avert the strike had failed.
Black day observed
The Kerala Government Medical College Teachers’ Association observed ‘black day’ on Tuesday and all faculty members appeared for duty wearing black badges, to express their solidarity with the striking medicos.
The government’s decision to hike the retirement age of doctors in the MES from 60 years to 62 years and that of doctors in Health Service from 56 to 60 years has evoked strong response from junior doctors, who point out that their employment and career prospects were being seriously jeopardised by the decision
The KMJAC had pointed out that at least 1,900 doctors were waiting for PSC appointments in the Health Service, while another 200 doctors in various rank lists were awaiting appointment in the MES. The government’s claim that doctors on PSC lists were not joining service was false, especially in the case of the MES, they claim. With the government not willing to discuss the issue despite the series of protests and demonstrations by the KMJAC, the medicos have threatened to go on indefinite strike from December 23 and launch hunger strike from December 25.
