Andhra doctors threaten massive agitation over pending demands

Vijayawada: The doctors belonging to the State of Andhra Pradesh have threatened to launch a massive strike if the Government does not fulfill their demands immediately.

This decision was announced at a joint press conference organized by the State branch of the Indian Medical Association (IMA), the State Government Doctors Association (SGDA), the AP Private Nursing Homes Association (APPNHA), and the Junior Doctors Association.

During the press conference, IMA Andhra Pradesh president Dr. M Jaya Chandra Naidu on Sunday stressed that the Government must be held accountable for any disruptions caused to the public healthcare services since the medical community in Andhra Pradesh is frustrated over unaddressed grievances. He further warned the Government that a movement would be initiated if the doctors' demands were not met immediately.

He further mentioned that the Andhra Pradesh Medicare Service Persons and Medicare Service Institutions (Prevention of Violence and Damage to Property) Act, 2008 introduced by the State Government headed by Chief Minister at that time Dr. YS Rajasekhara Reddy should be amended suitably to increase the jail term to seven years from the existing three years. This amendment should be implemented to ensure that doctors and medical professionals are given sufficient protection to discharge their duties without fear.

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As per the latest media report by The Hans India, the doctors further highlighted that in the case of death of patients while undergoing treatment, the relatives of the deceased are lodging complaints with the police. They argued that there should be some Standard Operating Procedure (SoP) to file the cases against the medical professionals and hospitals in compliance with the Supreme Court and the rules prescribed by the National Medical Commission (NMC). The doctors demanded that these SoPs should be circulated to all the police stations.

Further, the doctors have expressed their demands for a single window procedure for registration of hospitals. Another demand is formulation of a procedure by the State Pollution Control Board to levy charges for the collection of medical waste from the hospitals as per the rules of the National Pollution Control Board. They argued that the ongoing system should be stopped immediately.

The doctors have taken a strong exception to the reduction of the term to apply for a no objection certificate from the Fire Services Department from the present five years to two years. The National Building Code prescribes that the hospitals less than 15 metres of height should be exempted from obtaining an NOC.

Besides, the doctors have also demanded the immediate implementation of the recommendations by the pay revision commission. They have further demanded that the time-scale promotion to the government doctors should also be implemented. Another demand is for the payment of bills to the network hospitals under the Aarogyasri scheme in a time-bound manner.

The New Indian Express adds that SDGA president Dr. Jayadhir highlighted the significant contributions made by the government doctor towards the Jagananna Aarogya Suraksha health camps. He urged the authorities to resolve their long-standing issues, including PRC 2016 arrears.

Meanwhile, IMA State Action Committee chairman Dr. Ravi Krishnan expressed his disappointment for the delayed implementation of the promises made by CM Reddy, especially regarding the amendments to the Doctors' Protection Act. He urged the Government to take immediate action to fulfill the commitments made earlier.

The State Pollution Control Board was condemned by IMA State General Secretary Dr. Polavarapu Phanidhar for setting medical waste collection charges in favour of waste collection franchises. He accused them of extortion.

Meanwhile, IMA State President-elect Dr. Nandakishore expressed his concerns regarding the frequent changes in the fire safety regulations for hospitals, stressing the financial burden and logistical challenges faced by the medical institutes. Dr. Nandakishore urged the State to reconsider the proposed reduction in the validity period of fire clearance certificates and advocated for exeptions based on the building height. The president of AP PNHA Dr. Srinivas has urged the State for a streamlined procedd for hospital registration through a single-window system to ease administrative burdens.

Urging the State to respond favourably to the demands and solve them immediately, Dr. Naidu highlighted that they have been appealling to the State for quite some time.

SGDA president Dr. Jayadheer also regretted that the Government has been dilly-dallying with their demands as the government doctors have been waiting for the arrears of PRC 2016.

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