Patient care services were hit in all public sector hospitals in the district on Tuesday due to the boycott of dispensaries in government hospitals and medical college hospitals by the medical fraternity.
Most of the dispensaries in government institutions under Health Services were not functioning as doctors, under the banner of the Kerala Government Medical Association decided to go on mass leave to protest the way doctors were being accused of medical negligence at every turn by the people and the government “playing to the gallery” and doing nothing to defend the doctors.
The KGMOA also protested against the government for not taking any action against those who unleashed violence at the Nedumangad Taluk Hospital and attacked the hospital superintendent and the district doctor.
Although posters were put up in hospitals that OP clinics would not be open on Tuesday, most patients seemed unaware and had to return disappointed.
The KGMOA said the doctors would continue their non-cooperation strike until the unfair action against a doctor accused of medical negligence at Nedumangad Hospital was withdrawn, even before the expert panel’s report was released.
Two people were arrested for violence at the hospital on Tuesday. The KGMOA said after meeting with the government that the doctors will not boycott the Attukal Pongala duties.
MCH doctors strike
Meanwhile, the boycott of OP clinics by medical college doctors entered the ninth day on Tuesday, with both the doctors and the government remaining adamant. Although the Kerala Government Medical College Academy Teachers’ Association held a round of talks with the Chief Minister and the Health and Finance Ministers on Monday, the government did not give any assurance on payment of salary revision arrears due to doctors or their other demands.
At the Medical College Hospital, Kozhikode, where about 4,000 patients visited the OP daily, the number has now come down to about 1,200. At the Medical College Hospital, Thiruvananthapuram, the daily patient attendance has come down from about 4,500 to about 2,500.
Since senior doctors stay out of OP clinics, post-graduate students take care of patients. Since critical decision making is not something that can be done independently, many patients have started moving to private hospitals. Postponement of elective surgeries also leads to many hardships for patients.
The association said it expects an early positive result from the government on its demands. Until then, however, the boycott of OP clinics and academic activities would continue.
Published – 24 Feb 2026 22:09 IST
