Medical services restore across Kerala as Doctors call off strike

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: In a major relief for thousands of patients across the state, government medical college doctors have officially called off their prolonged strike following a successful high-level deliberation with the Health Department. Starting this Thursday, full operations will resume in Outpatient (OP) departments, operation theatres, and academic classrooms as doctors return to their regular duties.

The breakthrough came during a meeting between the state leadership of the Kerala Government Medical College Teachers Association (KGMCTA) and the Additional Chief Secretary of the Health Department, Rajan Khobragade. The government provided a written assurance that 18 months of salary revision arrears would be released immediately. Furthermore, the Secretary clarified that the Health Department would take direct responsibility for these arrears, while the remaining 39 months of salary would be disbursed in accordance with pending legal decisions.

44 new doctor posts were created in Kasaragod and Wayanad medical colleges in November 2025 following the agitation. It has also been announced that more posts will be considered. The office bearers expressed hope that the salary shortfall in the entry-level posts was resolved in the initial phase of the strike, which will attract more young doctors to medical colleges and fill the posts. The doctors' relay hunger strike has been going on for 37 days, the OP and academic boycott for 15 days, and the surgical boycott for 12 days.

The resolution marks the end of a grueling 37-day relay hunger strike, which included a 15-day boycott of academic and OP duties and a 12-day suspension of surgical services. KGMCTA State President Dr. T. Roshanara Begum and General Secretary Dr. Aravind C.S. expressed optimism that the initial resolution of entry-level salary shortfalls would attract more young professionals to government service. They also noted the creation of 44 new doctor posts in Kasaragod and Wayanad medical colleges in November 2025 as a positive outcome of their advocacy.

While services have resumed, the association emphasised that the strike would be resumed vigorously if the formal government order regarding the arrears is not issued within one week.