Talks fail, doctors to go ahead with stir

KOCHI: With the discussion between the state government and the representatives of the Kerala Government Medical Officers Association (KGMOA) held here on Sunday failing to make any headway, the doctors have decided to go ahead with the strike plan.Speaking to reporters after the meeting convened by Chief Minister Oommen Chandy, Health Minister Adoor Prakash said that the government would hold further discussions with the doctors in Thiruvananthapuram on Monday.The Minister said the government had decided to consider some of the demands raised by the doctors favourably. “The main demand raised by the doctors is the implementation of a government order issued by the LDF Government last year. We have found that some of the demands of the doctors are genuine. So, some sort of compromises have to be made on certain issues,” Adoor Prakash said.“In the wake of the discussion, we hope that the doctors will withdraw their strike,” he said.However, the doctors said that they would not call off the strike, but intensify it. “The government has promised to concede to some of our demands. But, we will continue with the strike till the government concedes to all of our demands and implements the decision,” said Dr S Prameela Devi, president, KGMOA.   Last year, when the doctors resorted to agitation, the state government had promised that special allowances would be dissolved in the basic pay.  Though the government reiterates that it will do so during the pay revision, nothing concrete has happened so far, Prameela  Devi said.The doctors have decided to intensify the strike from Monday. As of now, they are on a non-cooperation mode. The doctors have already made it clear that they would keep away from speciality outpatient services. However, casualty services will be available.Dr E P Mohan Kumar, state secretary, KGMOA, and Dr Jamal Ahmed, treasurer, also took part in the talks.