Bengaluru: Karnataka Govt Medical Officers’ Association and Karnataka State Health and Medical Education Department Employees’ Central Association, along with other staff bodies, Monday announced a phased statewide agitation, accusing the govt of repeatedly delaying action on long-pending demands of doctors and health workers.At a press conference, the association leaders said they held several rounds of talks with ministers and senior officials and submitted multiple representations, but their concerns remain unresolved. An emergency meeting of office-bearers was held on Feb 13 at Arogya Soudha on Magadi Road, where representatives of various staff associations resolved to launch a strike.In the first phase — from March 11-15 — doctors and employees across district/taluk hospitals, community health centres, primary health centres and dispensaries will wear black armbands, suspend outpatient services and provide only emergency care.In the second phase — from March 16 — health department staff across the state will launch an indefinite strike until their demands are met. The associations appealed to all govt hospital staff to extend support to the agitation.Key demands include ensuring regular supply of medicines to govt hospitals; amending cadre and recruitment rules, which they say were not revised since 1973 despite a three-year review mandate; publishing updated seniority lists; granting pending promotions, which they claim were stalled for 5 years.
