Kerala Government Medical Officers' Association to hand charter of demands to govt

Thrissur: Major schemes in the health sector in the state like Ardram Mission that envisages people-friendly government health centres and upgradation of Primary Health Centres to Family Health Centres will not yield desired results with the present infrastructure and existing staff pattern, the Kerala Government Medical Officers' Association (KGMOA) functionaries have said. The association which held its general body and meeting of the state-level functionaries in Thrissur on Sunday decided to hand over its charter of demands to the state government.

“Even though the concept of upgrading PHCs to FHCs will help the poor and the common man by making available out-patient consultation during evenings as well, the present strength of medical officers which now stands at nearly 4,500 in the state needs to be doubled. Likewise, the number of staff nurses, pharmacists and cleaners needs to be doubled to take the benefits of such schemes to the common public,” state president of the Association Dr Madhu V said. The other demands are to start Diplomate of National Board (DNB) for doing post graduate course in general and district hospitals in the state by reserving 50 per cent of seats to the medical officers who work in PHCs to General Hospitals.

The medical officers have also asked that their age of retirement be raised to 60 years from 56 like doctors associated with the Employee’s State Insurance Corporation (ESI) and Medical Colleges. General secretary Dr A.K. Raoof, District President Dr Santhosh P S, general secretary Pradeesh Kumar, secretary Dr Haseena were present. More than 250 KGMOA representatives from all the 14 districts in the state who work in PHCs to General Hospitals were present.