Thiruvananthapuram: The day-long strike called by Kerala chapter of Indian Medical Association (IMA) has thrown out of gear hospitals in Kerala on Friday.
The dawn-to-dusk statewide strike affected all hospitals in the public and private sector, except emergency services.
Even small clinics, including the dental clinics, are also closed for the day in protest.
Friday's 12-hour strike was announced many days ago. Several hospitals saw a good number of patients arrive, but all had to go back empty-handed.
The doctors are carrying out their protest marches in all district headquarters.
The protest following alleged delay in the arrest of accused in an attack on a doctor at a private hospital in Kozhikode early this month.
The IMA expressed deep concern in the rising number of attacks on health workers in the state.
The medical body claimed that the cases have increased in the past three years.
IANS with superficial edits