Kerala hospitals to strike tomorrow after doctor assault in Kozhikode
Thiruvananthapuram: In response to the attack on a doctor at the Thamarassery Taluk Hospital in Kozhikode district, government doctors across Kerala will observe a statewide protest on Thursday. The protest, organised by the Kerala Government Medical Officers’ Association (KGMOA), is aimed at drawing urgent attention to the increasing incidents of violence against healthcare workers and the government's alleged inaction on long-standing demands for hospital security.
Doctors to halt all non-emergency services
As part of the protest, doctors will withdraw from all non-emergency services in government hospitals. In Kozhikode district, all services except casualty (emergency) will be completely suspended for the day.
Protest gatherings and meetings will be held at all hospital premises under the leadership of KGMOA units.
KGMOA warned that if the government fails to respond to their demands within a fixed time frame, they would be forced to escalate the agitation to include suspension of even in-patient and emergency care services.
What are the key demands of doctors
- Declare hospitals as special protection zones.
- Ensure an efficient triage system and at least two doctors per shift in emergency departments to manage patient care better.
- Implement the state government's earlier promise to set up police outposts in major hospitals
- Deploy special security force (TAKTAC) in major hospitals as assured in the affidavit submitted by the government to the High Court.
- Install CCTV cameras in all hospitals
- Take strict action against local self-government bodies that fail to implement the government directive to appoint ex-servicemen as hospital security staff, and ensure their proper deployment.