Doctors intensify protest: OP services to be boycotted for six days at Medical College

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: Medical college teachers across Kerala are set to intensify their ongoing protest, raising various demands. Starting from the 20th of this month, they will boycott outpatient (OP) services once a week for six days- on October 20, 28, and November 5, 13, 21, and 29. On these days, classes will also be boycotted.

The protest, led by the Kerala Government Medical College Teachers’ Association (KGMCTA), has been continuing for the past three months in different forms.

KGMCTA state president Dr T. Rosnara Beegum and general secretary Dr C.S. Aravind said the decision to boycott OP services was taken because the government has not responded to their repeated demands, including issues related to frequent transfers, salary discrepancies, and pending benefits. As part of the protest, teachers will boycott all theory classes from Monday and will not participate in the upcoming Health Summit on Tuesday. All official meetings will also be boycotted.

The protest is being held to demand the creation of new permanent posts instead of making temporary transfers to new medical colleges to mislead the National Medical Council. The teachers are also demanding PSC appointments and promotions for these new posts, correction of salary anomalies in entry-level positions, payment of pending salary arrears from the 2016 pay revision, and measures to ensure hospital safety and protection.