Manipur doctors go on mass casual leave; health services affected

The All Manipur Health Services Doctors Association (AMHSDA) said 70% of around 1,300 total doctors have gone on mass casual leave

Gates were locked and government hospitals wore a deserted look across Manipur today after doctors went on a mass casual leave. Health services were adversely affected in several districts of the state owing to this. When contacted, the All Manipur Health Services Doctors Association (AMHSDA) said that 70% of around 1,300 total doctors have gone on mass casual leave.

According to inputs received, only emergency services were rendered at district hospital, sub-district hospital, CHC, UHC, PHC among others.

It may be mentioned that the government doctors under the AMHSDA began their agitation since November 1 pressing the N. Biren Singh government to fulfil 4-demands.

WHAT ARE THE DEMANDS OF THE DOCTORS?

1. Time bound promotion
2. Extension of superannuation age to 65 years
3. Making non-practising allowance effective from January 1, 2016 as per 7th Pay Commission
4. Amending the “outdated” Manipur Health Services Rules, 1972

Earlier, AMHSDA general secretary Dr Lolee P Mao speaking to Northeast Live had stated that the Association has been compelled to take the decision of going on mass casual leave due to the failure of the state government to respond to its demands.

Dr Mao said, “Government is buying time and will fully neglecting the doctor’s demands. Government in the earlier talks have already given verbal assurance to fulfill at least 4 demands out of 8. We have given enough time to materialise the given verbal assurance but nothing has concretised, so we have decided to go on Mass Casual Leave.”

Prior to this, the agitating doctors had staged sit-in demonstrations as well as went for relay hunger strike demanding that the government fulfil their demands.

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