The Kerala Government Medical Association (KGMOA) organized a protest meeting in Kannur district on Tuesday (March 10, 2026) against the government’s order to extend working hours of doctors in government health facilities, alleging that the decision was “undemocratic and unscientific”.
The protest rally at Kannur District Hospital was started by Dr. Ajith Kumar, Vice President North Zone, while the demonstration at Thalassery General Hospital was launched by Dr. Jithin VSM, District President. Doctors held protest rallies in major centers in the district and symbolically burned copies of the government order.
KGMOA said in a statement that while major health reforms should normally be discussed with all stakeholders, the government unilaterally issued an order to increase doctors’ working hours and redefine their responsibilities in an inappropriate manner.
According to the association, doctors currently examine 150 to 200 patients a day in many hospitals. Further extending their working hours would adversely affect the quality of treatment and increase the risk of medical errors, the agency said. The association added that the right solution is to create more jobs and ensure an adequate doctor-patient ratio.
The KGMOA also criticized the decision to adjust the working hours of hospital superintendents from 8:00 AM to 3:00 PM even though most offices start functioning at 10:00 AM, saying that the move would cause practical difficulties in administration.
KGMOA warned that increasing the workload without strengthening the workforce will weaken the public health system. “The ultimate victims will not be doctors but patients who depend on government hospitals at their most vulnerable,” it said.
It demanded that the government withdraw the order and ensure that consultative and evidence-based measures are taken to ensure quality treatment is available to ordinary patients.
Published – 10 March 2026 21:19 IST
