The Kerala Government Medical College Teachers’ Association (KGMCTA) has announced plans for a "black day" protest on Monday, September 22, followed by demonstrations on Tuesday, September 23. These actions are a response to the state government’s alleged failure to address their long-standing demands.
According to a statement from KGMCTA State President Rosanara Begum and General Secretary C.S. Aravind, government medical colleges are currently facing severe faculty shortages. Additionally, persistent issues surrounding wage revisions remain unresolved, prompting this widespread protest.
Among their primary demands, the association calls for the immediate creation of essential new faculty positions in newly established government medical colleges located in Kasaragod, Wayanad, Konni, and Idukki. These new posts are crucial to align with the National Medical Commission (NMC) guidelines. Furthermore, they insist on the creation of additional roles across all medical colleges to ensure a healthy doctor-patient ratio, alongside upgrading basic infrastructure and medical equipment to meet NMC standards.
The KGMCTA is also pressing for a swift resolution to salary disparities affecting entry-level faculty, urging the government to implement necessary corrections in the wage revision process and disburse outstanding wage arrears to all medical college teachers. They are also demanding dearness allowance equivalent to that provided to civil servants and judicial officers at the national level, including all accrued arrears.
Association leaders assert that the government has neglected its duty to create new positions and make fresh appointments, particularly in the recently established medical colleges. Instead, senior faculty members are frequently transferred from other existing medical colleges to staff these new institutions. This practice not only compromises the quality of medical education but also impacts patient care across all affected medical colleges. Doctors are struggling under immense work pressure due to these staffing issues.
The current low salaries offered to newly appointed Assistant Professors are a significant deterrent, discouraging promising young professionals from joining government medical service. Many younger doctors already employed are choosing to resign for the same reason, the association highlights.
The KGMCTA is committed to escalating its protests in the coming days, emphasizing that these actions will be carefully managed to avoid disrupting the essential functioning of medical colleges. However, they have issued a stern warning: if their demands are not met, they will proceed with a boycott of both teaching duties and Out-Patient (OP) department services.