Members of the KGMCTA are holding a protest rally at the Government Medical College Hospital, Kozhikode on Wednesday. | Photo credit: The Hindu
Members of the Outpatient Doctors Association of Kerala Government Medical College on Wednesday staged the third round of agitational boycott of outpatient (OP) services in support of their various demands.
At the Government Medical College Hospital here, the protest was started by KGMCTA Unit Acting President TP Ashraf. Officials said the government’s financial constraints should not be a reason to deny fair salary benefits to medical school teachers. They also said that while the establishment of new medical colleges in the government sector was a welcome step, it should be followed by the creation of required posts of doctors and establishment of proper infrastructure. Medical faculty teachers were ignored while clearing salary arrears for various government departments, they added.
The strike affected the functioning of the OP department, where thousands of patients are treated every day. Many patients were unaware of the excitement. According to sources, house surgeons and post-graduate doctors have been assigned to examine the patients. This included those referred from other government hospitals for specialist treatment.
KGMCTA’s demands included clearing salary arrears between 2016 and 2020, resolving anomalies in the pay structure for entry-level cadres and creating better facilities and new posts in all state medical colleges. Association officials said its members would be forced to embark on an indefinite boycott of OP services and an optional boycott of OR duties if their demands were not met.
Published – 05 Nov 2025 20:40 IST
