Manipur Govt doctors threaten indefinite cease work strike over pending demands

Imphal: Despite calling off their strike after being convinced by the state government, the doctors of Manipur health services have decided to go on indefinite strike as the state government has not yet addressed their long pending demands.

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

Medical Dialogues team had earlier reported that 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-practicing 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.

When speaking to reporters at the Manipur Press Club in Imphal, Lolee P. Mao, the general secretary of the AMHSDA, told Nagaland Post that the state government had neglected to pay doctors. “Government treats our services as essential but doesn’t bother for our well-being,” he said. He further stated that the doctors are on the verge of loosing their patience.