Doctors in Kerala Escalate Protests with Indefinite Boycott
Background of the Protest
Thiruvananthapuram: The Kerala Government Medical College Teachers Association (KGMCTA) has heightened its protest activities by initiating an indefinite boycott of outpatient (OP) services and academic responsibilities across all Government Medical Colleges (GMCs) in the state, effective Monday. This protest began on July 1, 2025, focusing on long-standing service-related issues.
Key Demands of KGMCTA
The protest is driven by several critical demands, including:
– Immediate payment of pay revision arrears that have been overdue since 2016.
– Revision of the outdated pension ceiling.
– Establishment of additional faculty positions to accommodate the rising patient load in medical colleges.
– Improvement of basic infrastructure within these institutions.
Stalemate in Negotiations
Despite numerous discussions between KGMCTA and the state government, a satisfactory resolution remains elusive. As reported by The Hindu, KGMCTA noted that while there has been some adjustment of pay disparities at the entry-level, significant concerns persist, particularly regarding the 2016 pay revision arrears. The association pointed out that although the government provided full pay revision arrears to other state employees, medical college doctors were excluded from this benefit, which has led to the escalation of their protest.
Current Status of the Boycott
In light of ongoing grievances, representatives of the doctors have felt it necessary to intensify their protests. Faculty members previously engaged in a non-cooperation strike and have been conducting a relay hunger strike for the last 22 days in the state capital. On Monday, senior faculty members abstained from attending OP clinics, which left postgraduate trainees and house surgeons to manage outpatient services. This situation has increased the workload on junior doctors, particularly in high-volume government teaching hospitals.
Continued Essential Services
KGMCTA has assured that essential medical services will remain unaffected during the boycott. Emergency care, labor rooms, emergency surgeries, intensive care units, post-mortem examinations, and urgent laboratory services will continue without interruption. However, the association has warned that if the government does not take decisive steps to resolve the impasse, non-emergency surgeries and other elective procedures will be indefinitely suspended starting February 19. Furthermore, from February 26 onwards, members will withdraw from all examination-related responsibilities.
Previous Demonstrations
Earlier, KGMCTA organized a candlelight demonstration to draw attention to its ongoing demands. The association has remained steadfast in its strike since July 1, 2025, advocating for the settlement of pending salary dues and addressing various unresolved issues.