Nearly 20,000 government doctors across the State would go on a token strike on September 21 demanding Dynamic Assured Career Progression (DACP).
The doctors are planning to boycott all patient care services in government medical institutions except emergency services.
K. Senthil, chairman, Joint Action Committee of Government Doctors Association (JACGDA), said doctors working in government medical college hospitals, peripheral hospitals, district headquarters hospitals, primary health centres and ESI dispensaries would take part in the token strike.
“We had given the notice for token strike to the government two months ago. Till now, we have been raising our demand in a democratic way without affecting patient care services. On the day of the strike, we would ensure that emergency and life saving services remain unaffected. However, we will boycott all other activities, including routine outpatient services,” he said.
The government doctors have been demanding implementation of the DACP that was specifically recommended for doctors in the fifth, sixth and seventh Pay Commissions, he said, adding, “though DACP was implemented for us in 2009, it is in a diluted version.” He added that the Health Department has called the doctors for a meeting on Tuesday, and the further course of action would be decided based on the outcome of the meeting.