Medicos in government MCHs go on strike for hike in stipend

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: House surgeons, medical postgraduates and senior residents of government medical college hospitals observed a token strike demanding hike in stipend on Friday.
The strike was total in all government medical college hospitals with over 3,000 junior doctors boycotting their duties. "However, we were particular that the strike did not affect the emergency services and surgeries.We attended all the emergency services without registering our attendance," said Dr Rohith, state president of Kerala Medical Post Graduates' Association (KMPGA).
The striking junior doctors said the stipend was last revised in 2015 and after that the government has been giving assurances that it will be increased. "Every time we have discussions with the state government they give us promises. But it has not been implemented yet. Hence, we had no other option but to go for a strike. After 2015, there has been a considerable increase in the fees for the postgraduate courses. But no corresponding increase has been made in the stipend," said Dr Rohith.
Health minister K K Shailaja had a discussion with the representatives of the house surgeons and medical post graduates two days ago. "In the discussion, the minister had assured them that the issue will be taken up with the finance department. We alone cannot take a decision on this. The proposal has to be accepted by the finance too. There is a usual procedure for them to accept this proposal," said Rajan Khobragade, principal secretary, health.
Meanwhile, the medicos have given an indefinite strike notice from June 20 and the association leaders are expecting that the government will fulfil their demands before that.
The state chapter of Indian Medical Association has also urged the state government to settle the strike by fulfilling the demands of junior doctors.