House surgeons continue strike at Palakkad medical college
House surgeons at a Palakkad medical college are on an indefinite strike to protest the lack of essential emergency medical facilities and equipment. The protest intensified following an incident where accident victims could not receive immediate care, drawing political involvement from the BJP.
Why it matters
Exposes critical infrastructure gaps in public healthcare systems and the resulting impact on patient safety and medical staff working conditions.
House surgeons at Government Medical College Hospital here continued their indefinite strike on Wednesday (September 2, 2026), alleging a shortage of medicines and basic treatment facilities in the Emergency department.
The doctors said the medical college, established under the Backward Classes Welfare department during the Oommen Chandy-led UDF government more than a decade ago, lacked essential facilities.
They alleged that the Emergency department did not have X-ray or scanning services, affecting the treatment of accident victims.
The protest was triggered after two persons injured in an accident near the Emergency department could not receive immediate treatment and had to be shifted to the Government District Hospital, Palakkad.
Following the incident, house surgeons boycotted outpatient services and began a protest on the campus. The medical college Principal has since ordered that postgraduate doctors be deployed in various departments, including the Emergency department, to ensure services.
Get smarter about the news
Sign up free for a feed built around what you actually care about, Dive Deeper research on any story, and the full text of every article.
Create free accountAlready have an account? Sign in