Government doctors in Kerala continued their strike for the second day on April 14, affecting medical services, even as they warned of intensifying their indefinite agitation.
 

The doctors, members of the Kerala Government Medical Officers Association (KGMOA), are on strike to protest against the suspension of a member and extension of out-patient (OP) time in hospitals. The association has called for an urgent meeting here on April 17 to discuss the further course of action. The meeting would also discuss steps to be taken if the government initiates any action against the striking doctors. The KGMOA also said they would intensify their agitation.

The government had issued a circular last night warning strict action against the doctors from today if they continue with their agitation. The doctors are protesting against the decision to extend the OP time in hospitals from 9 a.m to 6 p.m and suspension of a doctor for not attending OP duty after the extension of time. KGMOA secretary, Dr Jitesh, said they were not against the extension of working hours of OP, but the government should provide more hands.

Today also 4,300 government doctors were on strike, he said. A statement from KGMOA said only the casualty wing would function during the strike and in-patient treatment would be provided only till April 18. There would not be any new admissions, it said, adding only emergency operations would be performed. Meanwhile, the Kerala Human Rights Commission today urged the government to take immediate steps to resolve the issue as it was the common people who were facing hardships.

"Denying treatment is unconstitutional," the commission's acting chairman, P M Mohandas said in a statement. Health Minister K K Shylaja had said the agitation was to defeat the government's 'Ardram Mission' which envisages basic facilities to all hospitals in the State and making government hospitals patient-friendly. As part of the mission, the primary health centres are being converted to family health centres to provide comprehensive health facilities to the people, the Minister said.