Kozhikode Medical College PG medicos Call off Strike After Pending Salaries Released

Kozhikode: Postgraduate medical students at Government Medical College Hospital, Kozhikode, who had been on strike since Tuesday over the non-payment of their pending stipends, recently called off their protest following the government's release of funds.

The PG residents, under the umbrella of the Kerala Medical Post Graduates Association (KMPGA), staged an indefinite strike, refusing to attend their duties due to the prolonged delay in stipend disbursal.

KMPGA officials explained that they were forced to take the step after multiple requests and discussions with authorities failed to yield results. Stipends are transferred by the 10th of each month, but the February stipend had not been credited, leaving the students in a difficult financial position, they said.

They also pointed out that this issue was specific to Kozhikode Medical College, as postgraduate students in other government medical colleges in Kerala had received their payments on time.

The situation escalated after state-level KMPGA leaders met with Finance Minister K.N. Venugopal on March 15 to press for a resolution. Although discussions were held with various authorities, the delay continued, leading to a token strike on March 16 to further highlight their grievances. When the issue remained unresolved, the students decided to intensify their protest and go on indefinite strike.

Speaking about the resolution, KGMPA Convenor and a doctor at GMC Kozhikode Dr Arjun Rajeev expressed relief, stating, "We had no choice but to go on an indefinite strike as our concerns were being ignored. However, we have now been informed that our salaries have been credited. It is unfortunate that we had to resort to a protest, but for now, the issue has been resolved." With the stipends now disbursed, the postgraduate students have returned to their regular duties, bringing an end to the disruption in services at Kozhikode Medical College Hospital.