Thiruvananthapuram: The Kerala Government Medical College Teachers’ Association (KGMCTA) has warned of launching an indefinite strike after accusing the state government of ignoring long-pending demands of medical college doctors, despite the Cabinet recently announcing several welfare measures.
Doctors Decry Continued Neglect by State Government
According to an IANS report, the association stated on Thursday that the continued neglect of medical college doctors, who handle both teaching and patient care, is “deeply unjust.”
Despite repeated assurances, the government has allegedly failed to address key demands, the association said.
“It is deeply regrettable that doctors who risked their lives during the Covid crisis and brought pride to the state have been completely ignored,” KGMCTA said in a statement.
Pending Issues: Pay Anomalies, Arrears, and Staff Shortage
The association highlighted that none of their key issues — including pay anomalies, pending arrears, staff shortages, and poor infrastructure — have been resolved.
Their main demands include:
- Rectifying anomalies in the entry-level pay structure
- Clearing arrears from the 2016 pay revision
- Creating new teaching and medical posts in recently established colleges
- Improving hospital infrastructure
- Releasing pending DA (Dearness Allowance) dues
- Lifting the “unfair pension ceiling” imposed on state-paid faculty
OPD Boycott Already Underway
Earlier, as reported by Medical Dialogues, doctors across the state had announced a boycott of outpatient (OPD) services on October 28, 2025, to protest the government’s inaction on their long-standing demands.
Also Read: Kerala Govt doctors boycott OPD, warn of indefinite strike over pending demands
Pay Structure Disparity Driving Doctors to Private Sector
The KGMCTA noted that pay anomalies affecting Assistant Professors have made government service unattractive, prompting many young doctors to shift to the private sector.
Although the 2016 pay revision was implemented in 2020, the arrears remain unpaid, while other state employees have already received their full dues, the association said.
No New Posts in Kasaragod and Wayanad Colleges
The association also criticised the government’s failure to sanction new teaching and medical posts at the newly established Kasaragod and Wayanad medical colleges.
“Files related to post creation have been gathering dust in the Health and Finance departments for over a year, despite repeated government promises,” KGMCTA said.
Pension Ceiling Termed “Unjust and Demoralising”
KGMCTA further condemned the pension ceiling imposed on medical college doctors, saying it was misaligned with central-scale salaries.
The association described the move as “unjust and demoralising” and urged the state to align pension benefits fairly with pay scales.
Indefinite Strike on the Horizon
Warning of stronger action, the association announced that its Central Executive Committee would meet soon to decide on an indefinite strike if the government continues to remain indifferent to their demands.
“The government cannot continue to ignore those who sustain both the state’s medical education system and its public healthcare services,” the statement added.
