Kerala Govt Doctors stage protest over anomalies in pay revision

Thiruvananthapuram: Infuriated by the government's failed attempt to meet the demands, the doctors working with the state's directorate of health service held a protest and decided to intensify their stir until their requests are addressed.

They plan to go on one-day mass leave on October 11 if the state government fails to resolve the deficiencies related to the pay reform.

Kerala Government Medical Officers Association (KGMOA) members on Tuesday organized agitation outside all the Directorate of Health Services in Thiruvananthapuram and other district offices across the state from 2:30 PM to 4:30 PM, without affecting the treatment in government hospitals.

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Frustrated and angered over the continuous dismissive attitude of the government, the doctors have decided to take a stand against the injustice.

The decision came after several failed attempts by the government to address the doctors' demands. Many times, the government has turned its back on health professionals.

According to KGMOA, the administration broke pledges made to them during meetings on January 15 of this year. They alleged that their basic wage had been reduced due to the salary modification that was put into effect in January 2021.

Their demands included a hike in rural allowance, the loss in basic pay for entry-level medical officers, promotion to a 3:1 ratio, and imposing further restrictions on promotions.

However, the result has been pending for many months after the Finance Department promised to meet the doctors' demands. No official announcement has been made by the government regarding the doctors' demands, Onmanorama reports.

It was planned earlier a protest would be staged in January; however, it was postponed due to the COVID wave. Though another protest was held on May 1, it failed to make any difference. Ultimately, the date has been fixed on September 13.

A press release issued by the KGMOA said that medical professionals have been ignored by the Health Department on more than one occasion. However, they won't sit still now as the matter has crossed all the limits.

KGMOA state president Dr. GS Vijayakrishnan and general secretary Dr. TN Suresh informed that all government doctors would go on mass leave on October 11, if the government continues to ignore the demands of the protesting doctors.

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