Kerala medical college teachers’ association announces indefinite OP and academic boycott from Feb 16 over pay revision arrears

T'puram: Kerala Govt Medical College Teachers' Association (KGMCTA) on Tuesday announced its decision to intensify the ongoing protest demanding the release of pay revision arrears. The association said it would boycott OP and academic activities indefinitely from Feb 16 if the govt did not act in a timely manner. "Medical college doctors were completely neglected despite the decision to provide full salary revision arrears to other govt employees. For years, the govt ignored demands to create necessary doctor positions, make appointments on a war footing and remove unjust pension ceilings to ensure quality patient care and effective teaching in line with the increasing number of patients," the association said in a statement.The newly established govt medical colleges in Kasaragod, Wayanad, Konni and Idukki faced severe shortages of basic infrastructure. Adequate accommodation for students and teachers, laboratories and departmental facilities were lacking. Essential treatment systems for patients in hospitals were still inadequate in many colleges. "The trend of operating colleges through temporary transfers from other medical colleges without creating necessary doctor positions and making permanent appointments severely affects the quality of medical education and patient care," the association said.The additional chief secretaries of health and finance departments, during discussions on Feb 2, had sought one week's time to seek legal advice on the issue of salary revision arrears."Based on this assurance and considering the difficulties faced by patients, the OP boycott that began on Feb 2 was withdrawn on the same day. The organisation reiterates its deep concern about the difficulties faced by patients. However, the govt's continued delay under the pretext of seeking legal advice is unacceptable. The govt must promptly obtain legal advice and make a clear and just decision. In this context, the KGMCTA central executive committee meeting held on Monday unanimously raised the need for all units in the state to intensify the protest," the statement said.The sit-in protest, non-cooperation movement and relay hunger strike at Thiruvananthapuram Medical College will continue, it said.Essential services such as casualty, labour room, ICU, inpatient treatment and post-mortem examinations are completely excluded from the protest programmes.The organisation expressed regret over the potential difficulties faced by the public from Feb 16."KGMCTA emphasises that this protest is essential for the survival of the public health system and the future of medical education in light of the ongoing lack of basic infrastructure and doctor shortages in medical colleges," association president Dr Rosenara Beegum and general ssecretary Dr Aravind C S said.