Doctors on strike shut health centres
Source: The Sangai Express

Imphal, February 14 2023: As warned by the All Manipur Health Services Doctors' Association (AMHSDA), several health centres across the State have been shut indefinitely starting today for not fulfilling their demands.

As almost all health centres in all districts have reportedly shut doors indefinitely and healthcare services including OPD have been left paralysed causing major concern to the public.

While the AMHSDA had earlier warned that it would shut all health centres in the State, the health centres were reportedly closed amid a strict order issued by the Health Director to all Chief Medical Officers (CMOs) to open and continue normal services as usual.

Health Director, Dr Kh Saheekumar Mangang had written to the CMOs warning action against CMOs and doctors who disrupt normal services at the health centres.

Doctors on strike shut health centres

Significantly, the AMHSDA has been appealing the Government to fulfil its demands for months and it had launched a series of agitations since November 2022 .

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of NPA in the basic pay with effect from January 1 of 2016 as per the 7th Central Pay Commission; and amendment of the 'outdated' MHS Rules 1982 .

The AMHSDA had warned to close all health centres after prolonged failure of the Government to fulfil its demands.

Health services have been partially or completely shut in all districts-Bishnupur, Chandel, Churachandpur, Imphal East, Imphal West, Senapati, Tamenglong, Thoubal, Ukhrul, Kangpokpi, Tengnoupal, Pherzawl, Noney, Kamjong, Jiribam and Kakching.

Here are the scenarios in some of the districts as AMHSDA's shutdown call takes effect--

Ukhrul

Our Ukhrul Correspondent reported that all health centres in the district have been shut down indefinitely starting today.

The centres shut today include the District Hospital, one Community Health Centre (CHC), 6 Primary Health Centres (PHCs) and 18 Primary Health Sub-Centres (PHSCs) .

Chief Medical Officer (CMO) of Ukhrul Dr Kapangring A' Shimray said they took this extreme decision following the State Government's failure to address their grievances and demands in spite of repeated appraisals to the authorities concerned.

Addressing media persons at the District Hospital at Hunpung, he said the hospital was shut down to show their "resentment and protest against the indifferent attitude of the State Government" .

He said the doctors are demanding their legitimate rights as per the service rules, however not a single demand has been granted till date despite assurances given.

"We want to continue our daily duties and serve the people.

But, we are being forced to take extreme steps as the Government has not fulfilled even one demand.

We regret the inconveniences caused to the public," he said, appealing to the people to bear with them for a little while.

Meanwhile, as the hospital was shut, an elderly woman who was standing at the gate expressed her ordeal.

She said OPD service has been closed, and all the doctors have stopped attending to patients as they are on strike.

While she appealed to the Government to give the doctors their demands, other patients at the hospital too expressed their concerns and said the Government should end the issue immediately and talk with the doctors.

"Please, let the doctors perform their normal duties.

Resolve the matter in the greater interest of the poor villagers coming from far flung areas," said one youth whose mother is a patient at the hospital.

According to the district hospital, around 150-200 OPD patients are admitted daily while more than 20 are inpatients.

Senapati

Different health centres in the districts have been shut and are no longer admitting OPD patients.

Briefing media at the Senapati District Hospital, Dr Lolee P Mao, general secretary of AMHSDA said enough time was given to the Government to address the doctors' grievances without any positive outcome till date.

Assurances were given by the Chief Minister and the Health Minister on occasions, but their promises have not been delivered yet.

One of the association's demands is 'time bound promotion,' which the Government said it can't give without vacant posts.

"How is the Government giving time scale promotion to doctors at JNIMS which is Manipur Health Services while denying the same to others at the same time?" Dr Lolee P Mao asked.

While urging the Government to address their demands, the doctor also stressed that Manipur lacks the required number of doctors.

The State has a population of more than 30 lakhs while the number of doctors for the entire population is just about 1300-1400 .

In comparison to the population, the State should have at least 3,000 doctors.

Also, for lack of required doctors, the hospital at Tamenglong has also been closed down for some days now, he added.