Health minister appeals doctors not to strike
Source: Chronicle News Service

Imphal, February 03 2023: While terming as unfortunate that the doctors in the state are planning to go on strikeas such an agitation would affect the people of the state, health minister Dr Sapam Ranjan has appealed to the doctors to refrain from going ahead with the strike and instead try to come up with an amicable solution which would benefit all parties.

Responding to a calling attention motion raised by Thangmeiband MLA Kh Joykisan with regard to All Manipur Health Services Doctors' Association (AMHSDA) threatening to resume its strike, during the 3rd session of the 12th Manipur Legislative Assembly on Friday, Dr Ranjan said the government takes AMHSDA's demands seriously.

He recalled of holding a meeting with the doctors in December last and again in January this year.

The doctors had put forward some demands, of which allowing time bound promotion for Manipur Health Services is being done from time to time, subject to available vacancy.

As per MHS rules, grade-to-grade promotion depends on the criteria pertaining to the employee's age and qualification.

Grade-I and II are administrative posts with limited seats.

If time bound promotion is allowed in the absence of a vacant post, the administration could face a crisis, the minister explained.

He continued that around 417 staff are eligible for promotion from Grade-III to IV but the total vacancy is only 232.In addition, the screening and processing take time.

If there is vacancy, the promotion is duly given.

For Grade-III to IV promotion, it is being examined whether promotion could be given on one time relaxation after getting the approval of Finance and DP.

Regarding the demand for raising the superannuation age from 62 to 65 years, Dr Ranjan recounted that as a trial, the superannuation age for specialist posts was increased from 62 to 65 years in 2016.However, the proposed age was reduced to 62 years due to non-feasibility.

On top of this, thousands of doctors in the state are unemployed in the state.

Meanwhile, with regard to the demand for amending the MHS Rules, 2020, a letter has been written to obtain concurrence from the DP, while the demand to have the NPA effective from 2016 has been referred to the Finance department.

All of these require some processing time and no deci sion can be taken hastily, the minister said and appealed to the doctors through the House for a joint sit-down.

While raising the motion in the House, MLA Joykisan mentioned AMHSDA's decision to resume the strike including ceasing all works.

He said that doctors are regarded as gods who have the power to save precious human lives.

The public are the ones to suffer the most when doctors protest in pursuance of their demands, as witnessed in the past.

As such, the MLA urged the House to clarify the matter so as to allay the panic and fear among the masses.

AMHSDA has already submitted its demands to all the ministers and the MLAs.

Although the government may or may not have the ability to fulfil the demands, the government should have talk with the doctors, he suggested, while further appealing to the doctors, who are part of essential services, not to go ahead with any cease work strike in the interest of the people.

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