Kerala doctors announce statewide strike from November 1 over hospital security

Thiruvananthapuram: Demanding better safety measures for doctors in government hospitals, the Kerala Government Medical Officers’ Association (KGMOA) has announced a statewide non-cooperation strike from November 1, following the brutal attack on a doctor at Thamarassery Taluk Hospital.

During the protest, doctors will continue treating patients but will refrain from all non-patient care duties. The KGMOA warned that the protest will be carried forward in a phased manner if the government fails to take positive steps within a reasonable time to strengthen security in hospitals.

In a press release, the KGMOA listed several urgent demands, including introducing triage systems in all emergency departments to prioritise patients based on how serious their condition is, ensuring at least two Casualty Medical Officers (CMOs) are present during each shift, handing over hospital security to the State Industrial Security Force (SISF) and setting up police aid posts at all hospitals with casualty facilities, allocating funds for CCTV installation and appointing ex-servicemen as security guards, clearly defining doctor–patient ratios for all hospital levels, and covering the full medical expenses of Dr Vipin P T, who was recently attacked while on duty.

Also read- Doctor attacked with machete at Kerala Hospital

The strike comes after the serious assault on Dr Vipin at the Taluk Hospital in Thamarassery, Kozhikode, on October 8. Medical Dialogues had earlier reported that tension gripped the Government Taluk Hospital at Thamarassery after a doctor was allegedly attacked with a machete by the father of a young girl who had died of amoebic meningoencephalitis. KGMOA further pointed out that despite a government order issued in 2021 to introduce the triage system in hospitals, its proper implementation remains inadequate due to a persistent shortage of staff. The association has demanded urgent measures to ensure workplace safety and the enforcement of existing security protocols in all healthcare institutions.

The KGMOA expressed deep concern over the worsening safety conditions in government hospitals. “The failure of authorities to ensure secure workplaces for healthcare professionals is deeply disappointing.

The association further recalled the brutal killing of Dr Vandana Das, a house surgeon murdered by her patient at the Kottarakkara Taluk Hospital. The KGMOA noted that despite assurances made at a high-level meeting chaired by the Chief Minister after the incident, most promised safety reforms remain unimplemented.

“So far, only two measures have materialised — the enactment of the Hospital Protection Act and the revision of guidelines for medical examination of persons in police custody. However, key decisions such as assigning the State Industrial Security Force (SISF) to guard major hospitals, setting up police aid posts, and conducting half-yearly security audits have been ignored," said the statement as reported by Onmanorama.

The association also pointed out that while the “Code Grey” protocol was introduced to strengthen hospital security, it remains ineffective in many institutions due to poor implementation. It also alleged that several local bodies failed to allocate funds for installing CCTV cameras or appointing ex-servicemen as security personnel. Overcrowding, particularly in emergency wards, continues to escalate tensions and often leads to violence, the KGMOA added.

The KGMOA warned that if its demands are not met within a reasonable timeframe, the current non-cooperation strike will escalate into stronger forms of protest. The association urged the government to act quickly to create a safe and secure environment in hospitals, which it said is essential for protecting Kerala’s public health system.

“The non-cooperation protest beginning on November 1 is only the first phase. Further, stronger modes of protest will follow if the government continues to ignore our legitimate demands,” stated the press release.

Also read- Kerala Govt doctors protest, demand safety after attack on colleague