Other States - Orissa   

Doctors threaten to resign en masse

BHUBANESWAR: Annoyed by non-implementation of measures announced by Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik, nearly 2,700 doctors working in government-run health institutions have decided not to attend any patient and abstain from their duties from August 27. Addressing a press conference here on Friday, president of Orissa Medical Services Association (OMSA), Madhusudan Mishra, said the State Government failed to implement their cadre restructure plan and transparent transfer policy as announced by Chief Minister on the floor of the Assembly.

Moreover, not a single young doctor was inducted into government health services during the past six months, which was putting additional pressure on doctors who were already under stress, Dr. Mishra said.

“We have already received individual resignation letter signed by 2,500 doctors from different corners of the State. However, all 2,700 doctors will ultimately tender their resignation for the indifferent attitude of administration towards addressing concerns raised by doctors’ community,” OMSA president said.

The association said this time even directors of health services were going to abstain from their duties in support of demand of restructuring of the cadre. Dr. Mishra said following CM’s assurance in March, OMSA had submitted cadre restructure and model transfer policy to the Government, which was never given due importance. “Health has been a technical subject that should be dealt by only specialists. Doctors who spend their life in health sector and are aware of all shortcomings should be given task of the policy-making, planning and implementation. We want a doctor to head the health sector,” OMSA president demanded. He said due to frequent transfer by the time a secretary, the post usually held by IAS officer, got to know about issues needed to be addressed in health sector, he was replaced by another. Last time stirred by the threaten of mass resignation by doctors the Government announced a six-point assurance, of which raising of basic salary at entry level and status of junior class-I had already been notified.

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