Doctor's strike hit Medical College Hospitals

Thiruvananthapuram, Jan 3: Functioning of Medical College Hospitals in Kerala was paralysed today with a token strike called by the doctors in protest against the arrest of a doctor in connection with alleged negligence in providing treatment to a youth, resulting in his death.

Out patient services in all the Medical College Hospitals was hit and people who were not aware of the strike was seen stranded at the hospitals. Only the students and house-surgeons were seen attending to the patients.

However, the casualty and emergency services have been exempted from the strike. At Thiruvanahapuram, the striking doctors staged a protest march towards the Directorate of Medical Education.

Meanwhile, a report from Kozhikode said that one group of doctors there opposed to the strike saying that health services should not be affected in any case.

The Kerala Government Medical College Teachers' Association (KGMCTA) called for the strike in protest against the arrest of Dr P Ashokan at the Kottayam Medical College in connection with alleged negligence in providing treatment to a youth with head injuries, resulting in his death. He has also been charged with a case of bribery. The doctors at the Kottayam Medical College had yesterday went on strike for two hours in the morning protesting against the arrest.

The KGMCTA called for the withdrawal of the ''fabricated case'' against the doctor and his release from custody.

UNI