Thiruvananthapuram:
Medical services in Kerala have been badly hit. Around 1500 resident doctors and house surgeons are on an indefinite strike in five government-run medical colleges of the state.
Many patients were turned away from government-run hospitals due to lack of medical staff.
The doctors are demanding roll back of the recent hike in fees for PG medical courses and better accommodation facilities.
The talks between the doctors' representatives and the government have so far failed to resolve the issue. The doctors have now warned of intensifying their agitation.
The strike has left even patients needing emergency medical attention in the lurch. Thirty eight-year-old Asha was among the many turned away from the hospital due to lack of doctors.
"They just asked us to go somewhere else. Isn't this a hospital meant for the poor? We have no money. Where will we go?" questioned Asha, Patient.
As resident doctors form the backbone of government medical services, the strike totally paralysed the functioning of various medical college hospitals across the state.
"A responsible government should give concrete assurances and also follow them. It is the responsibility of the government to avoid such strikes, not ours," said Jassar Abdul Jabbar, President, Medical Post Graduate Association.
Talks between the agitating doctors and the government failed to break the deadlock.
"There is absolutely no need to go on indefinite strike, now, by virtually declaring a war on the patients," said PK Sreemathy, Minister for Health, Kerala.
With the government and the resident doctors refusing to budge from their stated positions, it seems it's these hapless patients who will continue to bear the brunt of the strike.