MP doctors to strike from May 3: MGM cancels leave of medical officers, medical teachers

Indore: After 10,000 doctors associated with 13 medical colleges in the state again decided to go on strike over pending demands from 3rd May 2023, all the sanctioned leaves of the medical officers and medical teachers have been cancelled by the MGM Medical College administration. 

The college administration has claimed that the decision has been taken to ensure the smooth running of all the medical services in all the attached hospitals. 

Commenting on the situation, Dean of MGM Medical College, Dr Sanjay Dixit, informed Free Press Journal, " The doctors’ association has announced to go on strike by May 3 and it may disturb the health and medical facilities in the hospitals associated with the medical college. We have cancelled the leaves of medical teachers and officers for the same." 

Medical Dialogues had previously reported that about 10,000 doctors of 13 medical colleges of the state once again prepared to go on strike from May if their demands, including the implementation of the Dynamic Assured Career Progression (DACP) Scheme, are not fulfilled. The other demands included curbing administrative interference, restoration of old pensions, 7th Pay Commission and so on. 

Coming under the banner of the Madhya Pradesh Government Doctors’ Federation, the doctors have decided to start the agitation from 3rd May. Other medical associations, including the Madhya Pradesh Medical Teachers’ Association, Madhya Pradesh Medical Officers’ Association, and Nursing Officers’ Association, have also decided to participate in the agitation.  President of the Madhya Pradesh Medical Officers’ Association Dr Madhav Hasani, stated that the doctors have been relentlessly trying to seek help from the government to fulfil their pending demands; however, the government did not take any initiative to solve their problems. 

"Our major demands include implementation of the old pension scheme, DACP, and no interference from administrative officers. The high-power committee has already submitted its recommendations, but the officials not implementing it and giving the excuse that the file is with the finance department,” Dr Hasani said.

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, so the doctors have again decided to start their agitation from 3rd May.