Kerala medical college teachers observe 'black day' over faculty shortage, workload

The Kerala Government Medical College Teachers’ Association (KGMCTA) is observing a ‘Black Day’ today to protest against the government’s policies regarding medical colleges in the state. Agitation will also be held in front of all government medical colleges and the Directorate of Medical Education (DME) office on September 23, as per a report by Onmanorama.

The teachers’ association highlighted faculty shortages, lack of infrastructure, temporary transfers of teachers between colleges, work pressure, long-delayed pay revision during their protests, the report said.

"There is a huge gap between the student-teacher ratio and the number of doctors required to manage the patient overload in medical colleges, which is well known to both the DME and the government," the association said in a statement, as per the report.

Blaming the state government’s policies of disrupting the functioning of medical colleges in Kerala, the association has indicated it may stop teaching and outpatient (OP) services if the demands are not addressed, the report added.

Also read JMI students to protest over detentions during Batla House anniversary march; demand resignation, apology

'Unreasonably low' salaries for assistant professors, claims KGMCTA

Konni and Idukki medical colleges are facing severe shortage of staff and infrastructure, while leaving doctors under immense pressure, the association said in the report.

It also claimed that teachers are being temporarily transferred from existing colleges, a move that adversely affects both teaching and patient care across the state, the association said in the report.

Moreover, highlighting the low entry-level pay for assistant professors, the KGMCTA said the ‘unreasonably low’ salaries are discouraging young doctors from joining or continuing in their profession, the report added.

“Temporary group transfers, described as short-term measures, have become routine, disrupting postgraduate teaching and patient care,” the association said.

"Despite repeated representations, the government has failed to act, leaving us with no choice but to proceed with these protest programmes," said KGMCTA leaders in the report.

In addition, the demands by KGMCTA also includes creating of sufficient faculty posts in Kasaragod, Wayanad, Idukki, and Konni medical colleges as per NMC norms, the report stated.

This also includes additional posts in all medical colleges against the patient load. Solid infrastructure and equipment in line with NMC standards

Correction of pay anomalies at entry level, immediate disbursal of arrears and resolution of other salary issues, including other demands were raised by the association.