Government’s decision to extend OP hours is unacceptable: KGMOA

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: The Kerala Government Medical Officers' Association (KGMOA) has protested against a new government order that extends the OP (outpatient) consultation time of doctors in government hospitals in Kerala until 2 PM.

The association said that instead of creating new posts and increasing human resources through a scientific approach to address overcrowding and heavy workload in hospitals, the government has chosen a shortcut by extending the working hours of existing doctors. KGMOA said such a move cannot be accepted.

The organisation pointed out that doctors in government hospitals are already working without adequate rest due to limited facilities and shortage of staff. Extending only the OP hours without increasing the number of doctors will seriously affect the quality of treatment and push doctors into severe physical and mental stress, the association said.

KGMOA also demanded that the government urgently fix a clear doctor–patient ratio to ensure that people receive the quality treatment they deserve. The association said the government should determine how many patients a doctor should examine in a day.

In addition, the association urged the government to create new posts in proportion to the increased workload. KGMOA warned that if the order, which it described as unilateral and undemocratic, is not withdrawn immediately, the organisation will be forced to launch strong protests across the state.