THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: A joint action committee comprising postgraduate medical and dental students and house surgeons from medical colleges in Kerala is set to go on strike on Wednesday, November 8, to raise various demands. The strike will last from 8 am on Wednesday to 8 am on Thursday, including the emergency departments.

Tomorrow's strike is a continuation of the previous strike on September 29. The demands include a reasonable increase in stipends for postgraduate and house surgeon categories relaxing compulsory bonds for postgraduate students in Kerala increasing senior residency seats and the immediate establishment of a committee under the Health Secretary to support postgraduate students and house surgeons. They also seek a reduction in student fees charged by health universities for various courses.

The organization has informed that the students are resorting to this strike because discussions with ministerial-level and other higher authorities over the past few months have not been successful. As part of the strike, a protest march will take place in front of the Thiruvananthapuram Medical College OP Department at 9:30 am on Wednesday followed by a protest march to the Directorate of Medical Education (DME) office at 10 am. They have also warned that if the government does not take a favorable stance, the strike will continue in a strong manner.