Thiruvananthapuram: The Kerala Government Medical College Teachers’ Association (KGMCTA) on Friday announced its decision to hold a complete strike on November 13 following the state government's continued neglect of the issues it faces. Additionally, OP services, elective surgeries, and teaching classes will be completely boycotted in all government medical colleges on November 13, as part of the 4th Relay OP Boycott Day, a statement read.

In a press note, the KGMCTA listed its demands, which included the rectification of compensation anomalies, immediate release of arrears of the 2016 pay revision, creation of necessary posts before starting new medical colleges, filling all vacant posts with urgency and fulfilling the infrastructural requirements for both doctors and patients in medical colleges.

The KGMCTA has been boycotting outpatient (OP) duties since July 1 on a relay basis to protest the state government’s failure to address long-pending demands, including delays in pay revisions and an acute staff shortage.

The KGMCTA said in a statement that the government had not held any discussions or taken steps to resolve their grievances, despite their boycott on October 28. It had warned that it would be forced to intensify its agitation into an indefinite strike if the government remained indifferent.

Only essential services, such as casualty, emergency and ICU, labour Room, emergency operation theatre, in-patient care for admitted patients, and post-mortem services, will continue to operate.

KGMCTA noted that although earlier stages of the protests were organised to cause minimal inconvenience to patients, the association is compelled to proceed with OP boycotts due to the government's indifference.

The association also stated that the government must bear full responsibility for any inconvenience caused to the public, as the move results from its negligence.