Doctors in government service are intensifying their protest against the suspension of K.C. Ramesan, Superintendent, Government Mental Health Centre, Kozhikode, following the recent death of a remand prisoner who escaped from the facility.
C.K. Shaji, Kozhikode district president, and Vipin Varkey, district secretary, Kerala Government Medical Officers’ Association (KGMOA), said on Saturday that the boycott of outpatient services (OP), launched on Friday, would continue until the suspension was revoked. Doctors in government hospitals would boycott speciality OP on Monday. All the doctors would go on leave en masse for a day on Tuesday and keep away from duties, except emergency services and labour ward. The KGMOA members would no longer accept additional responsibilities, and keep off from services under Kayakalp and National Quality Assurance Scheme.
Dr. Ramesan was suspended on Thursday after the Director, Health Services, submitted an inquiry report to Health Minister, holding him responsible for the security lapse. The remand prisoner had run away from the centre and died in a road accident.
