THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: In the wake of the KGMOA accusing the government of failing to convene conciliatory talks to resolve the doctors’ stir, Health Minister K K Shylaja on Saturday hit out at the association saying it is misleading the public by presenting falsehoods.
Indicating the government’s willingness for talks, Shylaja urged the KGMOA to give up its obduracy and approach the issue with an open mind. “The doctors under the banner of KGMOA launched their protest without even serving a notice. The association resorted to strike over the suspension of a doctor who caused immense hardship to patients by unauthorisedly staying away from evening OP duty. Now, they say they are protesting for ensuring adequate staff strength,” said Shylaja in a statement.
Dismissing the KGMOA’s claim, the Health Minister said during the past two years the government had created around 4,300 posts in the Health Department. The minister also asked the association to come out with data on the family health centres (FHC) which are understaffed.
“The KGMOA’s claim the doctors appointed to the FHCs are forced to work overtime is baseless. While elevating the PHCs to FHCs, the government had fixed a staff pattern of three doctors, four staff nurses and one lab technician and pharmacist. If any of the FHCs has less than three doctors, then the KGMOA should come out with the details.”