Thiruvananthapuram: Despite protest from doctors, the health department has decided to fix the OP timing from 9 am till 6 pm in hospitals with more than four doctors. At first, the changed timings are expected to be implemented in community health centres (CHCs). In the first phase, the timings will change in nearly 102 centers across the state of Kerala.

Doctors have termed this move as undemocratic as no discussions were held with them before executing the same. The government had issued a similar order in April, but it was frozen following an indefinite strike by doctors.

Dr A K Raoof, State General Secretary of Kerala Government Medical Officers Association (KGMOA) said that it was an undemocratic decision and would affect the works of the CHCs when the doctors would be asked to sit in the OP till evening. He further stated that many CHCs have either delivery facilities or have inpatients. If the OP timing is extended, the doctors won’t be available for other duties. He stressed that there is no deployment of more doctors in several CHCs and that the decision has been taken without any scientific study.

The government is; however, firm on its decision since it has been decided to conduct evening OPs in all hospitals under the Aardram Mission. The doctors, on the other hand, state that if they are asked to sit in OPs till evening, the inpatient care and other public health activities conducted by the CHCs will get impacted.

The Indian Medical Association (IMA) is of the opinion that evening OPs is a possibility only if adequate manpower is available. IMA state secretary Dr N Sulphi said, “When there are four doctors, two each will be deputed for the morning and evening OPs. It is nearly impossible to man the OPs with just two doctors with the kind of patient load.”

It is also feared that the move may cause friction between doctors and patients. Once the government declares that there will be evening OPs, and if the doctors are not available, the hospitals will have to bear the brunt of the patients’ anger.

The KGMOA state committee has been convened on December 20 to discuss future course of action against this unilateral decision.