Manipur doctors continue indefinite cease work strike over pending demands

Imphal: Continuing their long-standing demands that have gone unanswered by the state government despite their assurance, Doctors affiliated with the All Manipur Health Services Doctor’s Association (AMHSDA) went on an indefinite cease work strike across Manipur for 15 days and informed the strike will continue until their demands are met.

Raising their voice against the unfulfilled promises made by the government, the agitating doctors have claimed they would not back down and end their strike unless and until the state government agrees to their demands.

It is reported that the state government, even after promising to address their demands, refused to accept the needs of the agitating doctors. Due to the indefinite strike, medical services in many government-run health facilities have been paralyzed.

Also read- Manipur Govt Doctors Threaten Indefinite Cease Work Strike Over Pending Demands

Medical Dialogues team had earlier reported the incident in February where the doctors of Manipur health services went on an indefinite strike as the state government did not address their long pending demands.

The doctors under the banner of the All Manipur Health Services Doctors’ Association (AMHSDA) boycotted Outpatient Department services (OPDs) in all government-run hospitals on January 9.

The doctors raised four primary demands including time-bound promotion, an extension of the retirement age of specialist and non-specialist doctors up to 65 years, the inclusion of non-practising allowance in the basic pay with effect from January 1, 2016, as per the 7th Pay Commission, and amendment of the Manipur Health Service Rules 1982.

The doctors working under the banner of AMHSDA have been pleading with the state administration to grant their request for the past two years, but the government has shown no sign of considering their demands. The doctors' started boycotting work from the final week of October last year and called off agitation after assurance from the state government. However, after observing that their demands were not yet met by the government, the doctors began their strike again.

Speaking with TH, Association general secretary Lohi P. Mao said on Monday, “It is deplorable that the government is not paying attention to the protest that began 15 days ago. The State government has said that promotions would be given against vacancies. This means most of the doctors will retire without getting any promotion.”

Addressing a press conference, Dr Mao said, “The government has been merely saying that there is a shortage of doctors in all hospitals at remote locations. However, nothing has been done for the welfare of the doctors. Since all sections of the people support our demands, the 60 MLAs should also support our demands”.

So far, no doctors have been pulled up despite the government's appeal to stop the strike since it's an essential service. Commenting on this, Dr Rao said that doctors are misused in the name of essential service.

Also read- Manipur Govt Doctors Call Off 2 Day OPD Boycott After Meeting Chief Minister