Minister appeals IMA to call off proposed medical strike

Thiruvananthapuram, Jan 8 (UNI) Kerala Home Minister Kodiyeri Balakrishnan today appealed to the Indian Medical Association (IMA) not to go ahead with its proposed statewide round-the-clock medical strike on January 12.

Talking to reporters here, he said the government was not in a position to meet their demands as the issue was now under the consideration of the court.

The IMA had called for a strike on January 12, demanding free and fair working environment, withdrawal of all cases against Dr P Ashokan of the Medical College Hospital (MCH), Kottayam and a new Medical Act to protect the interests of doctors.

Mr Balakrishnan said Dr Ashokan, chief of the third unit of the orthopaedic ward of the MCH, was taken into custody by the police on bribery charges under the Prevention of Corruption Act and was produced before the Vigilance Court in Thrissur.

Since the arrest was in connection with bribery charges, the IMA's call for agitation amounted to encouraging bribery, he said and added that the Kerala Government Medical College Teachers' Association (KGMCTA) had called off the strike following discussions with the Health Minister.

Mr Balakrishnan warned that the government would take strict action against people indulging in corruption.

UNI