Doctors strike could worsen health concerns

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: The state, already ravaged by dengue, H1N1 and rat fever, will now see tougher times with the government doctors going on strike from July 19.As it is, there is a severe shortage of doctors in the government sector and almost half of the posts of specialist doctors are lying vacant in spite of the walkin interviews.A strike would almost paralyse patient care in the government sector.The strike is in protest against the government's indifference in addressing issues like disparities in pay revision and pathetic service conditions.The indefinite strike, which was originally proposed from June 10, was postponed by a month on the request from Chief Minister Oommen Chandy for more time to study the anomalies in pay revision. "We were promised that the disparities will be solved when the Pay Commissions recommendations are implemented.A government order was also issued to this effect. But we have been totally sidelined.As per the current situation, a specialist doctor at a taluk or general hospital earns much less than a MBBS doctor at the primary health centres,'' said KGMOA state president S Prameela Devi.There is also a huge shortage of doctors in the health services, with no replacements even for those who retire. Even those who joined after attending walkin interview had left soon after joining service."This adds to the workload of the doctors, who are even denied leave, off day and even eligible leave," said Prameela Devi.