Thiruvananthapuram: The Health Department will hold discussions with the Kerala Government Medical College Teachers Association (KGMCTA), which has announced an indefinite strike demanding salary revision and the creation of new posts, officials said on Sunday.

Health Minister Veena George will chair the meeting with KGMCTA representatives on Monday, in an effort to resolve the dispute and avert the strike, which could disrupt medical services at government hospitals.

Health department officials told reporters that the government has initiated talks to address the concerns raised by the doctors’ union and to find an amicable solution before the protest escalates.

The KGMCTA had earlier staged an outpatient (OP) boycott last month as part of its protest.

The association has now declared a total strike, under which members will abstain from all duties except emergency services at medical colleges across the state.

Union office-bearers said their key demands include the payment of pending pay revision arrears since 2016, correction of salary anomalies, filling of vacant posts, creation of new positions, and improvement of infrastructure and facilities in government medical colleges.

KGMCTA representatives said the strike was called after the government failed to respond adequately to their earlier protests and representations.

PTI inputs