Doctor-Govt stalemate continues, public in peril
- The People's Chronicle Editorial :: December 02, 2022 -

IN view of the state's Health Services Directorate slapping the illegal tag on the agitation being launched by doctor members of All Manipur Health Services Doctors' Association (AMHSDA), it is likely that the medical professionals might be compelled to reconsider their mode of agitation for prohibition on the democratic form of protest leaves no other option but to either return to work while continuing to voice dissent by wearing the black badges or approaching the law court if they feel violation of their rights.

Unlike other organisations which believe in imposing bandh or blockading the national highways to air their grievances and turn the heat on the government authorities, the medical fraternity would be ridiculed in case they follow in the footsteps of the civil societies.

While it's disheartening to learn that the parleys held with the government representatives prior to launch of agitation by the AMHSDA members could not make any breakthrough to resolve the stalemate, the peeved doctors can take heart from the fact that office memorandum circulated on Wednesday with reference to the agitation mentioned that the state government is in the process of examining the various demands of AMHSDA.

Even if the agitating doctors aren't impressed, the director's assurance could be construed as the government's willingness to consider some of the legitimate points which the doctors have been pursuing.

Though it is possible that the circular was placed in the public domain to paint the doctors in poor light, one can't ignore the fact that if the agitation continues breakdown of the healthcare sector is imminent.

Leaving aside the stray incidents of medical practitioners being branded as uncompassionate and profit-oriented, especially in Manipur's context, the masses still venerate the doctors.

Since advent of the medical profession they have been serving mankind but the role of all those working in the healthcare service came to prominence after outbreak of the Covid-19 pandemic and during the peak of the viral disease as those infected had the belief that they are in save hands when they feel the presence of doctors and nurses.

After claiming many liveable lives, the pandemic situation has improved a lot but for the general patients as well as those who are in still in need of regular medical attention the future still remains uncertain.

As such, without an iota of doubt, the public will not only suffer the most in case more working doctors dare to challenge the establishment and join the protest but the general population would start to question professional ethics of the men in white whose service to the masses is of paramount importance.

Notably, possibility of vehement public outcries against halting the healthcare services, if any, could be the only reason why limited number of doctors have taking part in staging sit-in protest and carrying out relay hunger strike in different districts after their black badge protest and submission of memorandums failed to evoke positive response from authorities concerned.

Therefore, it is suggested that the government authorities create conducive environment to bring the agitating doctors to the negotiating table and prioritise settlement of legitimate points mentioned in the demand while categorically rejecting the inappropriate ones.