AMHSDA threatens to shut down hospitals
Source: The Sangai Express
Imphal, February 11 2023:
The All Manipur Health Services Doctors' Association (AMHSDA) has resolved to close all Government hospitals from February 14 onwards if the Government fails to entertain their demands.
Initially, the AMHSDA had put forward eight demands, but after talks with the Government, they trimmed their demands to four.
Their demands include time bound promotion; extension of superannuation age of specialists and non-specialist doctors to 65 years; inclusion of NPA in the basic pay with effect from January 1 of 2016 as per the 7th Central Pay Commission; and amendment of the 'outdated' MHS Rules 1982 .
Speaking to media persons at Manipur Press Club today, AMHSDA general secretary Dr Lolee O Mao said that they are not satisfied with the reply given to their demand in the recent Assembly session.
Saying that Prime Minister Narendra Modi has already approved extension of superannuation age of Central and State doctors to 65 years given the shortage of doctors in the country, Dr Lolee continued that there is also not sufficient doctors in Manipur and such shortage can been seen at district hospitals, CHCs, PHC and other Government health centres.
Further stating that the doctor-population ratio as prescribed by the WHO is 1:1000, he maintained that the situation in Manipur, however, is distressing as there are only about 1400 doctors in Manipur compared to 30 lakh (approx) population.
Given the population size of Manipur, there should be over 3,000 doctors, Dr Lolee continued and added that the Chief Minister himself had admitted the shortage of doctors and specialists in the State.
Taking strong exception to the reduction of superannuation age to 62, he maintained that the conduct of the State Government goes against the interest of the Prime Minister.
Claiming that there are/were many doctors who retired or died without getting any promotion, he urged the Government to give time-scale promotion to doctors.