Kerala chapter of Indian Medical Association (IMA) called for a 24-hour statewide total strike on October 1 in Kerala protesting against frequent attacks on doctors and other staff in hospitals. All doctors belonging to government and private hospitals will also participate.

According to IMA state president Dr P T Cheriyan, work in government, private, ESI hospitals and medical colleges would be affected during the strike but emergency services would be provided at the hospitals. However, doctors had been asked not to treat patients at their residences.

The decision to strike work was taken at an emergency action committee meeting of the IMA here this afternoon, according to Dr. Cheriyan.

Dr. Cheriyan said the IMA office-bearers had met Chief Minister A K Antony and other ministers a couple of months ago and apprised them of the situation arising out of the attacks. However, there had been no positive response from the government so far, he added.

In the past four months, 26 hospitals had been attacked, they said. The latest incident was the attack on Thiruvalla taluk hospital, where a woman who had developed complications following childbirth, had died. The woman had been shifted to a nearby private hospital, administered 30 bottles of blood and all other efforts were made to save her life. However, when she died, her relatives attacked the staff at the taluk hospital and damaged property.

The Kerala Government Medical Officers Association, Qualified Private Medical Hospital Association, Kerala Government Medical Teachers Association and the Private Hospital Owners Association had extended support to the strike.