Ensure services are not hit by medical college doctors’ strike, Kerala HC tells govt

Kochi: High court has directed the state govt to ensure that the functioning of out-patient departments (OPD) and essential medical services in govt medical college hospitals are not disrupted due to the ongoing strike by doctors in govt medical colleges in the state.A bench of Chief Justice Soumen Sen and Justice V M Syam Kumar further directed the state govt to file an affidavit regarding the strike within a week and to ensure that the issue is resolved in the meantime. HC was considering a public interest litigation (PIL) filed by Ajeesh Kalathil Gopi, a practising lawyer in the Supreme Court and a native of Kottayam, seeking remedial measures to ensure uninterrupted medical services to citizens in light of the strike launched on Feb 16. The petitioner also sought a direction to the state govt to invoke its statutory powers under the Kerala Essential Services Maintenance Act, 1994, if necessary, to ensure that essential healthcare services are not disrupted.During hearing, the senior govt pleader, upon instructions from the state govt, submitted that the OPD and essential medical services in govt medical college hospitals have not been disrupted due to the strike. Senior and junior residents are being deployed to conduct OPD services and periodic reviews are also being conducted. The pleader further stated that the govt has initiated talks with the striking doctors. Accordingly, HC directed the state govt to file an affidavit regarding the submission and adjourned the matter to March 5.