Unlike other medical college hospitals in the State, where services were affected due to the strike staged by the Kerala Government Medical College Teachers Association (KGMCTA), the Government Medical College Hospital in Ernakulam functioned partially as doctors who are part of the Cooperative Academy of Professional Education (CAPE) joined duty on Thursday. A few doctors who are part of the KGMCTA Ernakulam unit also joined duty to ensure that emergency services were not hit. Emergency services such as casualty, ICUs, and labour rooms were not affected.The outpatient departments (OPDs) functioned as usual. Over 200 patients visited the OPD in the general medicine and orthopedics departments at the hospital even as doctors affiliated with the Ernakulam unit of the association took part in the State-wide one-day strike against the alleged indifference of the State government towards their demands.Ernakulam Medical College Hospital Superintendent Dr. Ganesh Mohan said OPDs functioned as usual despite the strike. Medical services were not affected, he claimed. A total of 1,403 patients sought treatment in OPDs on the day, and most of them were unaware that a strike was on.As many as 282 patients sought treatment in the general medicine OPD, 228 in orthopedics, 135 in cardiology, 102 in opthalmology, and 121 in general surgery.Doctors under the banner of Kerala Government Medical College Teachers Association stage a protest at the Government Medical College Hospital, Ernakulam, on Thursday. | Photo Credit: THULASI KAKKATMeanwhile, the Ernakulam unit of the KGMCTA withdrew from all academic responsibilities on Thursday as part of the strike. Dr. Indira C.K., president of the Ernakulam unit, inaugurated the strike in front of the Principal’s office. Members carrying placards and raising slogans undertook a rally on the premises expressing solidarity with the State-wide agitation.The students’ union also joined the protest. Dr. Jaimon, immediate past secretary of the Ernakulam unit, highlighted the history of demands and the lack of proper government response.Dr. Minu Mohan, unit secretary, spoke.Published - November 13, 2025 11:51 pm IST