OPD Services to Be Hit for 5 Days From March 11 as Karnataka Govt Doctors Call Strike Over Demands

Government doctors in Karnataka have announced a statewide protest that will affect outpatient services at government hospitals from March 11 to March 15, raising concerns about disruptions to routine healthcare services.

The strike call has been issued by the Karnataka Government Medical Officers' Association (KGMOA) along with other medical staff associations, which say they are protesting against long-pending service issues including promotions, cadre rule revisions, staff shortages and salary delays.

OPD services to remain closed for five days

According to the doctors' association, Out-Patient Department (OPD) services in government hospitals will remain closed from March 11 to March 15, although emergency services will continue during this period.

Doctors have also warned that if the government does not address their concerns, they will launch an indefinite strike from March 16, which could include a boycott of even emergency duties.

Dr Ravindranath M Meti said the protest comes after years of waiting for reforms.

"We have waited for more than two-and-a-half years. There is no progress on promotions, cadre rules or filling vacant senior posts. We have no other option," he said.

Health Minister warns of legal action

Reacting to the strike announcement, Karnataka Health Minister Dinesh Gundu Rao said the proposed service boycott was a serious issue and warned that the government could take legal action if patient care is affected.

Officials are currently reviewing possible measures against doctors who abstain from duty during the protest.

Shortage of medicines and service issues raised

Doctors' associations say the protest is not only about service conditions but also about the functioning of government hospitals.

One of their major concerns is the shortage of medicines in several government hospitals, which they say affects patient care. The associations have urged the government to streamline procurement systems and ensure uninterrupted availability of essential drugs.

Another issue raised is that the Cadre and Recruitment (C&R) Rules for the Health Department have not been updated since 1973, even though they are supposed to be revised every three years.

Demands on promotions, vacancies and salary delays

The associations have also demanded the timely publication of seniority lists across cadres to ensure transparency in promotions and postings.

They want the government to appoint Health Department staff to N-cadre posts in autonomous institutions under departments such as Medical Education, Food Safety and urban local bodies.

Doctors have also called for immediate filling of vacancies for doctors, paramedics and support staff in government hospitals.

Another major demand relates to job security and salary issues faced by contract employees, especially those working under the National Health Mission (NHM).

According to the association, thousands of employees under centrally sponsored schemes have reportedly been receiving salaries only once every three to four months for nearly a decade. They have demanded monthly salary payments within the first week of each month and parity with employees under the Medical Education Department.

Protest gains support from government employees

The protest has also received support from the Karnataka State Government Employees' Association, which has announced solidarity with the doctors' movement.

With the strike scheduled to begin this week, patients planning to visit government hospitals across Karnataka may face disruptions to routine medical services unless the government and medical associations reach an agreement before March 11.