Fee Hike but not Stipend Hike: Kerala PG doctors to go on 24 hour strike on 8th November

Thiruvananthapuram: Taking cognizance of their long-standing demand for stipend hikes that have been left unattended, postgraduate medical students under the banner of the Kerala Medical Postgraduates’ Association (KMPGA) have decided to go on a 24-hour strike on November 8. During the strike, the PG medicos will boycott all hospital services, including emergency services.

Despite promises made by the government since 2019 to hike stipends, no substantial progress has been observed. According to the doctors,  the government has not only failed to fulfill its commitment but has also increased the course fees, exacerbating the financial burden on medical postgraduates. The university has increased the fee for the medicos again, even though the last fee hike was effected in 2021, reports a daily.

The KMPGA has been actively advocating for their rights, emphasizing the need for a stipend hike to address the rising cost of education and living expenses. Previously Medical Dialogues reported that KMPGA members staged a one-day-long strike in September to press for their demands. The protesting medicos demanded swift implementation of pending demands that include a stipend hike, inadequate hostel facilities for PG doctors, poor doctor-patient ratio, and relaxation of university, research, and exam fees. The stipends have remained the same for the past four years. 

Despite the formation of a committee under the Health Secretary to address the concerns raised by the medical community including issues like scarcity of proper hostel facilities, senior residency issues, and issues of hospital security, there has been a lack of tangible progress. The association has pointed out that the government's inaction is not only a breach of trust but also a hindrance to the personal and professional development of medical postgraduates. The association pointed out that more than two-thirds of PG doctors, who are primarily women, have not received housing facilities from the government, and it's a clear violation of National Medical Commission regulations.

The protesting medicos demanded that the government should prioritize the needs of its medical community and take immediate action to resolve this pressing issue. As per a recent media report by The Hindu, the functioning of the government might get hampered on 8th November as house surgeons might also join the PG medicos during the strike.