Posted By :  Admin1

 A protest by government doctors in Palakkad has escalated into a de facto shutdown across most state-run hospitals in the district. Nearly all outpatient services and non-emergency procedures have been suspended, causing significant distress to patients seeking routine care and follow-ups. The protest, which began over the suspension of two junior doctors implicated in a high-profile medical controversy, is now affecting essential health services across the region.

The agitation gained momentum after the Health Department’s decision to suspend two junior doctors from the Palakkad District Hospital in connection with the amputation of a nine-year-old girl’s forearm drew sharp criticism. The Kerala Government Medical Officers’ Association (KGMOA), which organized the protest, has denounced the suspensions as unfair and politically motivated, alleging that the doctors are being used as scapegoats to deflect attention from systemic issues in the health sector. ([The New Indian Express][1]) In solidarity, many doctors have adopted measures such as black‐badge days, boycott of official duties, and withdrawal from administrative responsibilities. 

Patients across Palakkad report long queues, uncertainty and referrals to private facilities as hospitals struggle to maintain minimal operations. Many critical services are on hold, and some patients requiring follow-ups or diagnostic tests are being turned away. Health authorities are reportedly in talks with medical associations to negotiate a truce, while critics warn that the protest, if prolonged, could deepen gaps in access to healthcare for vulnerable patients across the district.