Manipur Govt Doctors Threaten to Close OPDs if Demands Not Met

Reported by Donald Sairem

Government doctors in Manipur under the banner of All Manipur Health Services Doctors’ Association (AMHSDA) have threatened to close all OPDs under the Manipur Health and Family Welfare Services tomorrow if the government fails to fulfil within today four of the eight demands made by the Association earlier.

General secretary of AMHSDA, Dr. Lolee P. Mao said that there was a preliminary negotiation between the protesting doctors and the government on November 14 wherein the government assured to fulfil four demands out of the eight demands.

He announced that the AMHSDA executives and working committee decided to close all OPDs under the Manipur Health and Family Welfare Services for one day tomorrow if the four demands are not met.

Also Read : Government doctors in Manipur stage protest

Meanwhile, the state home department, in exercise of its powers conferred under section 3(1) of the Manipur Essential Services Maintenance Act, 1984, has ordered that any form of agitation including participation in the “cease work/closure of OPD” strike which disrupts or dislocates the functioning of the Government Health Services is prohibited with immediate effect.

Consequent upon the issue of this order under section 3(1) of the Manipur Essential Services Maintenance Act, 1984 and in accordance with section 3(4), no person employed in any essential service to which the order relates to shall go or remain on strike.

It said that any strike declared or commenced, whether before or after the issue of this order, by members of All Manipur Health Services Doctors Association shall be illegal.

It also said that the prohibition order shall remain in force for a period of 6(six) months.

Reacting to AMHSDA’s threat, the government termed it ‘unreasonable’ and said it is unbecoming of a government servant and their agitation would disrupt the functioning of government hospitals and result in denial of health care services to the patients.

Edited By Bhargobi Khaund