24-hour strike by doctors
Thiruvananthapuram, Aug 30 (UNI) The functioning of government hospitals in Kerala was crippled today following a 24-hour strike by doctors demanding hike in salary.
Reports from across the state said only emergency services functioned with skeletal staff.
Doctors in primary health centres, taluk and district hospital joined the strike called by the Kerala Government Medical Officers Association (KGMOA). The strike began at 0800 hrs.
Meanwhile, Chief Minister V S Achuthanandan told newspersons though Health Minister P K Sreemathy was holding talks with the striking doctors, their demands were unrealistic.
However, KGMOA office-bearers alleged that the doctors were forced to take such a step as the government refused to pay heed to repeated pleas for rectifying anomalies in pay scales.
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