Kerala - Thiruvananthapuram   

Discussion with doctors called off

Thiruvananthapuram: The State government called off the discussions it was to have had with the Kerala Government Medical Officers’ Association on Friday at the eleventh hour. The doctors had begun the non-cooperation strike 32 days ago.

The striking doctors, incensed by the sudden cancellation of the meeting, termed it yet another instance of the government’s indifference and the lack of political will in saving the public health system from an imminent collapse.

“The Finance Department has all along refused to get involved with issues regarding restructuring of pay scales and implementing the speciality/administrative cadre. It is deplorable that even after four rounds of discussions, the Finance officials have not studied the case of doctors,” State president of KGMOA Sunny P. Orathel said.

Following the discussions between the Health and Finance Ministers and the KGMOA on October 30, which ended without a solution, the government had suggested another round of talks on Friday at 2 p.m.

However, around 12 noon on Friday, the KGMOA office-bearers were told that the discussions were being postponed as the Finance Department wanted more time to study the doctors’ demands, KGMOA leaders said at a press conference.

“Most of our leaders are from the northern districts. It was not easy for them to reach here on Friday morning for the discussions,” they pointed out.

The next round of talks is tentatively scheduled on November 6.

“Today’s postponement is yet another delaying tactic. We are yet to be told about any package, but we will not compromise on our demand that pay scales at the entry level be revised,” Dr. Orathel said.

The doctors said that they had been working the stipulated hours in hospitals and had not turned a single patient away. Yet, none of the doctors was given last month’s salary.

Around 700 doctors will take part in the one-day hunger strike to be held in front of the Secretariat on Saturday from 6 a.m.

Doctors said that no hospital services will be disrupted and that duty doctors will be available in all hospitals.

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