Thiruvananthapuram: The post-graduate medical students of Kerala began their strike against the state government on Friday by boycotting patient care in all but Covid-19 wards. They decided to go ahead with the protest despite the government issuing an order in effect to their primary demand of appointing Resident Doctors in medical colleges.

The protestors alleged that the order lacks clarity on certain matters.     

Earlier, Health Minister Veena George had warned the doctors to call off their protest to avoid tough action.

The appointment of the 373 temporary non-academic junior residents comes in the backdrop of the delay in the NEET PG allotment. The creamy layer for the EWS quota was challenged in the Supreme Court. The NEET counselling will not be held till the court pronounces a verdict. The resident doctors will be paid Rs 45,000 per month.

The decision was made earlier in the meeting with the doctors' representatives and the minister. Their second major demand was to speed up the NEET counselling. However, the government told them that the matter is sub judice.

"We have held two rounds of talks with the PG medical students. One of their demands is that the admissions to the first year PG courses should be completed early. In this issue the state government is helpless as it is before the apex court," Veena said.

But the protesting doctors spoke equally tough and said they have been airing their grievances for a long time but things have not moved as the government is doing nothing.

"We have been working nonstop in the past 18 months... at the moment there is a shortage of around 700 doctors and despite assurances, no appointments are being made. Moreover, we have been demanding a pay hike for a long and nothing has happened on that front too, and hence we have no other option but to step up our protests," said a protesting doctor.

Meanwhile, PG doctors across the country have expressed their anger at the delay in NEET-PG admissions. Demonstrations were held in various parts of the country.

(With inputs from IANS)