Implementation of DACP Scheme: MP Doctors to initiate phase-wise strike from May 1 over pending Demands

Bhopal: Raising their voice against the pending demands, the doctors in Madhya Pradesh are ready to initiate an indefinite strike from May 3 onwards. In this regard, the doctors under Progressive Medical Teachers Association recently submitted memorandums regarding their movement to the local administrative officials across the State.

According to the phase-wise strike plan of doctors, the government doctors will start their strike on May 1. On that day, around 10,000 doctors belonging to government hospitals, district hospitals, primary, community health facilities, medical colleges, etc. will wear black badges to work from 8 am to 5 pm.

The protest will get intensified on May 2 as the doctors will shut down medical services for two hours from 11 am to 1pm. However, if the government does not respond to their demands, then the doctors across Madhya Pradesh will initiate a complete shutdown of medical services in the State.

The doctors in Madhya Pradesh have been demanding the implementation of the Dynamic Assured Career Progression (DACP) Scheme among others. The other demands include curbing administrative interference, restoration of old pensions, 7th Pay Commission and so on.

Medical Dialogues team had earlier reported that the doctors had threatened to go on strike and they began a statewide mobilisation rally under the banner of the MP government and autonomous doctor's federation from January 27th to April 7, 2023.

The high-level committee formed on February 17, 2023, had to submit its report to the Chief Minister within one month, after that the agitation was postponed. But after 2 months and despite the decision of the high-level committee, DACP and other pending departmental orders have not yet been issued. 

Also Read: Over 10000 MP Govt doctors threaten to go on strike from May 1 over pending demands

Earlier this month, the federation had given an additional time of 2 weeks to the government. It had also decided to celebrate promise commemoration day from April 17.

In case their demands are not met, around 10,000 doctors of 13 medical colleges had informed about their decision to go on strike from May, 2023. 

It has been decided by the doctors that from May 2, the government doctors will start boycotting OPD work and from May 3rd, the doctors will enter a continuous movement to stop all medical work.

They will also hold picketing outside workplace by putting up tents and mikes. In this regard, the district/division/MTA level officials have been entrusted with ground-level responsibilities to make the movement successful.

Speaking about the matter, the State Chief Coordinator of the Government Doctors Mahasangh (also known as Progressive Medical Teachers’ Association) Dr. Rakesh Malviya told Medical Dialogues, "Our main demand is better treatment facilities at government hospitals. We have noticed that in most of the government hospitals and health department, around 50% posts of doctors are lying vacant. In case of 13 medical colleges where we visited, there are no faculties in around 25% of the sanctioned posts."

"Madhya Pradesh ranks in the 17th position in Health across the country. So, we have requested the government to improve the condition of health facilities by introducing new policies," he added.

Referring to their demands for the DACP scheme, he mentioned that "When a doctor joins the government service, he should know and remain assured where his career will progress with time. Apart from this, we have also raised the issue regarding the heavy bureaucratic infiltration in the government hospitals in Madhya Pradesh. Doctors are worried because of all these issues."

"Raising all these issues, we have decided to initiate the phase-wise strike from May 1 and the government has the chance to resolve the matter by addressing the matter within May 2. Otherwise, health facilities across the country will get affected as all the government doctors across the State, including the doctors appointed on ad-hoc basis will join the movement. We have also received the support letter from the IMA," he added.

Also Read: MP Govt doctors threaten to resume strike over delay in implementation of DACP Scheme