Doctors under the banner of the Kerala Government Medical Officers Association (KGMOA) staged protest meetings across Kannur district on Tuesday, opposing a state government order that extends the working hours of doctors in government health institutions. The association described the directive as “undemocratic and unscientific,” warning that it could negatively affect patient care.
The demonstrations were held at several major government hospitals, where doctors gathered to voice their concerns and symbolically burnt copies of the government order.
Protest Meetings Held Across Major Hospitals
At the District Hospital in Kannur, the protest demonstration was inaugurated by KGMOA North Zone vice-president Dr. Ajith Kumar. Meanwhile, the protest meeting at the General Hospital in Thalassery was inaugurated by district president Dr. Jithin V. S. M..
Doctors from different government health institutions across the district participated in the protest gatherings, expressing strong opposition to the new policy.
Doctors Call Order “Unscientific” and Unilateral
In a statement, the Kerala Government Medical Officers Association said that major reforms in the healthcare sector should ideally be discussed with stakeholders before implementation.
However, the association alleged that the government issued the order unilaterally, increasing doctors’ duty hours and redefining responsibilities without adequate consultation with medical professionals.
Heavy Patient Load Already Straining Doctors
According to the association, doctors in many government hospitals already examine 150 to 200 patients daily. Increasing duty hours further could lead to fatigue and work pressure, which may negatively impact the quality of patient care.
The association warned that overworked doctors may face a higher risk of medical errors, potentially affecting the safety of patients in public hospitals.
Demand for More Doctors Instead of Longer Hours
The protesting doctors emphasized that the proper solution to the growing workload is to create more posts for doctors and ensure a better doctor-patient ratio in government hospitals.
They argued that strengthening manpower would help improve healthcare services more effectively than extending working hours.
Concerns Over New Duty Schedule for Hospital Superintendents
The association also criticised the decision to fix the duty hours of hospital superintendents from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m..
According to the doctors’ body, most government offices begin functioning at 10 a.m., and the new schedule could create administrative coordination problems for hospital management.
Wider Unrest in Kerala’s Public Healthcare System
The dispute comes at a time when Kerala is witnessing broader unrest within its public healthcare sector.
Recently, the Kerala Government Medical College Teachers’ Association (KGMCTA) staged protests over issues including salary arrears, increased workload and administrative delays. The association later suspended its strike for a week after receiving assurances from the government regarding pending salary payments and infrastructure improvements.
Meanwhile, nurses in the state have also launched protests over salary hike demands, adding to the ongoing tensions in the healthcare sector.
Government Defends Reform, Doctors Demand Review
While the state government maintains that extending duty hours is necessary to manage overcrowding in hospitals and improve efficiency, medical bodies argue that the real solution lies in recruiting more doctors and strengthening hospital infrastructure.
The Kerala Government Medical Officers Association has demanded that the government withdraw the order and adopt consultative, evidence-based reforms to protect the quality of treatment in government hospitals.
Doctors warned that if the issue remains unresolved, patients relying on public hospitals could ultimately suffer the most.
