Date:05/01/2007 URL: http://www.thehindu.com/2007/01/05/stories/2007010510160400.htm

Kerala

KMC doctors continue stir

Staff Reporter

MLA calls for action against accused doctor

KOTTAYAM: The strike by the doctors of Kottayam Medical College Hospital continued for the second day on Thursday, putting hundreds of patients who visited the out-patient (OP) section to hardship.

Confusion prevailed in the hospital complex, as the hospital staff issued OP tickets without knowing that the doctors were on strike for the second day. While the casualty functioned and emergency surgeries were conducted, all other sections came to a standstill.

All India Youth Federation (AIYF) activists took out a march into the hospital.

Meanwhile, Kerala Congress leader and local MLA Thomas Chazhikkadan appealed to the doctors' organisations to desist from their move to protect a colleague who was facing judicial probe and disciplinary action in the case relating to the death of a youth. He called for stringent action against the guilty and also called upon the Government to strengthen the facilities at Medical College hospitals. He was speaking at a dharna organised by the UDF in front of Kottayam Medical College Hospital.

V.N. Vasavan, MLA, said service organisations should take the initiative in correcting mistakes on the part of its members. He alleged that there was evidence to prove that the death of Majo was on account of callousness on the part of the doctor on duty.