Strike paralyses health services

Thiruvananthapuram, May 20 (UNI) Government doctors' call for an indefinite strike in the state from Thursday last has hit the functioning of hospitals, even as the government was trying its best to persuade the agitating doctor's to withdraw the strike.

The Health Secretary was holding talks with the Kerala Government Medical Officers Association (KGMOA), which had called for the indefinite strike. It was known that some of the demands of the KGMOA would be agreed upon.

Early in the day, Opposition Leader in the Kerala Assembly Oommen Chandy called on Chief Minister V S Achuthanandan and demanded immediate steps for finding a solution to the present situation.

He further urged the Chief Minister to look into the long-pending demands of the doctors, including pay revision.

Mr Chandy also cautioned that the strike would have adverse impact on the Healthcare system of the state.

Meanwhile, reports from several parts of the state indicate that the services in the government hospitals had been affected.

With the south-west monsoon about to hit the state, there was apprehension that if the issues were not sorted out, they could pose grave danger.

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