Arunachal Pradesh Doctors hold 2-day strike, demand Health officials' transfer

The protest, which disrupted outpatient services across the state, was launched in response to allegations of bureaucratic interference that the association claims is hindering the welfare of the medical community. Talking to Medical Dialogues, APDA president Dr. Komling Perme accused some officials of delaying crucial files related to the progress and well-being of doctors.

“According to the Dynamic Assurance Career Progression scheme in every 10 years the government doctors get financial upgradation. Thus, we are supposed to get four times upgradation but we are not getting this. We are getting DACP for non-functional selection grade up to level 13 but it should be upgraded upto level 14 so that it is at par with the other states following the central norm. On our insistence, a higher-level committee was formed in 2023. The committee had many representatives of government from different departments and it submitted its report on March 2024. However, the report file, which was send to the Health Secretary was returned to the Director Health without taking any step regarding the matter,” stated the doctor.

The doctor also pointed out that Asha workers who are the ground-level workers get a meagre amount and are not paid regularly. The employees of cancer center have not gotten their remuneration since October. There have been many posts lying vacant. “Is it intentional? Why are they not addressing any issues. We regret the inconveniences and ask for the understanding of the public as it is high time that authorities should take us seriously. However, emergency services remained open during the mass leave.”

He stated that despite a meeting being convened by the Health Secretary on February 19 with APDA executive members and the medical education director the association found it unsatisfactory. In response to the growing unrest, Chief Secretary Manish Kumar Gupta has scheduled a meeting with APDA leaders, the directors of health services and family welfare, and the director of medical education on February 24 to address the concerns raised. It has been reported that a separate discussion will also be held between the APDA members and health department director allowing doctors to voice their grievances without external pressure.

The protest led to a near-total shutdown of outpatient department (OPD) services, with only emergency care being provided. APDA has remained firm in its demand, emphasizing that only concrete action from the state government will resolve the crisis.