MCHs hit as docs continue to boycott duties

T'puram: The Kerala Govt Medical College Teachers Association (KGMCTA) leaders said the main demands put forward by the association, including the payment of the salary arrears since Jan 2016, still remain unresolved and hence they continued the boycott of their official duties."Medical college doctors, under the leadership of KGMCTA, continued their boycott of OP services, non-emergency surgeries, academic activities and hunger strike. The representatives of KGMCTA held discussions with the chief minister, health minister and finance minister on Monday. The issue of salary arrears, including those from the pandemic period, was also discussed. The CM agreed to consult with the finance minister on this matter but no decision was made yet," said KGMCTA state president Dr Rosnara Beegum T.The ministers acknowledged the legitimacy of the demands raised during the discussion. The organization appreciated the stance of the health minister, who strongly advocated for steps to be taken to address the salary arrears during discussions with the finance minister. The organization expected the health and finance ministries to take steps to release the salary arrears without delay, she said. "We hope for discussions between the chief minister and the finance minister and await favourable outcomes. We regret the inconvenience caused to patients due to the ongoing protest and emphasise that we resorted to this action only after all other avenues were exhausted," the association leader said. Meanwhile, the strike by the doctors seriously affected the functioning of the govt medical college hospitals. Now, the postgraduate students and house surgeons are manning the services at the hospitals. The number of patients visiting the MCHs across state dipped from an average 4,000 to 1,000-1,500.KGMOA to cooperate with Attukal pongalaKerala Govt Medical Officers' Association (KGMOA) has decided to cooperate with the Attukal pongala duties. The decision was taken after the talks the association leaders had with the health minister. In addition, outpatient service will resume at Nedumangad district hospital from Wednesday. "Respecting the sentiments of the devotees and the public interest, KGMOA Thiruvananthapuram district unit has decided to fully cooperate with the Attukal Pongala duties," said district president Dr Sunita N. The decision comes in the wake of discussions held by the KGMOA state leadership with health minister Veena George and the arrest of two accused in the violent incident happened at Nedumangadu hospital.