Goverment doctors to go on strike from today

Thiruvananthapuram: The government doctors in the state will go on a non-cooperation strike from Monday following the  government decision to invoke dies non against them. They will do hospital duties but  boycott non-essential duties, including training sessions, medical camps and VIP care.  The strike is in protest against the government move to send specialist doctors from health services on forced deputation to the medical colleges to be established at Manjery, Palakkad and Idukki.

 

“Picking  specialist doctors from health services will destroy the already under-staffed government hospitals. Instead of enhancing the facilities and staff in government hospitals, the state is setting up more medical colleges. More doctors should be urgently recruited through PSC,” KGMOA state president Dr Shyam Sundar said. The specialist doctors in community health centres and district hospitals earn  half the salaries compared to their counterparts in medical colleges. Even on deputation to medical colleges, they will earn only the same salary.

 

Doctors have  also demanded cancellation of vigilance inquiries against some colleagues who face action for doing private practice. As per a recent government order, unlike medical college doctors, the health services doctors can do private practice but only at residences. Many doctors were reprimanded for operating from commercial complexes and other clinics. It is learnt that doctors have decided to move the High Court if the government “over-reacts” by invoking dies non against them.