Doctors Strike | Negotiations with Health Minister fail; PG doctors continue to strike

Thiruvananthapuram: Negotiations with the Health Minister failed and the PG doctors decided to continue the strike. The PG doctors rejected the new proposals put forward by the health minister to settle the strike. The doctors said that the strike would continue and that they would decide whether to change the strike.

The doctors will meet again with the Additional Chief Secretary of the Department of Health Education. The health minister had suggested that the stipend hike could be considered as the state’s economic situation improves and more junior residents could be appointed in medical colleges instead of having more senior residents. PG doctors say these are unsatisfactory. PG doctors also demanded more clarity on the increase in stipend.

However, the health minister said that he had assured the discussion that the demands raised by the PG students would be considered sympathetically. Minister Veena George said that the provisions of the Residency Manual will be implemented. In addition to the residency manual, a committee will be appointed to find out who has the heaviest workload. The committee will be constituted within a month on the basis of the application submitted by the representatives of the organization.

It has twice before requested the Finance Ministry for a 4 per cent increase in stipend. The file has been sent back to the Finance Ministry saying it should be considered sympathetically. The finance ministry will talk to the minister again.
First year PG They first raised the issue of early admission. This is a matter before the Supreme Court. The government cannot interfere in this matter.

The services rendered by PG Doctors and House Surgeons in the wards and emergency departments are immense. The order to appoint 373 NAJRs is the biggest thing the health department can do. Many of them have entered the workforce. No such appointment has been made anywhere in India. They say more NAJRs need to be hired. The minister said the government may look into the possibility of appointing more NAJRs for the same amount by removing the 249 SRs who were additionally appointed in the context of Kovid, if they so request.

Additional Chief Secretary, Department of Health Education Dr. Asha Thomas, Director, Department of Health Education; A. Ramla Beevi, Joe. Director Dr. Thomas Mathew, PG student union representatives, and PG Association leaders who have previously discussed the issue also attended the discussion.

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