United Doctors Front urges Himachal Govt to reinstate doctors' career progression scheme

Shimla: The United Doctors Front (UDF) Association, New Delhi, has expressed full support for the medical officers in Himachal Pradesh, who are demanding the restoration of the Dynamic Assured Career Progression Scheme (DACPS).

This scheme offers doctors fair and time-bound promotions and career growth opportunities. While it is already in place in many states and in the Central Health Services (CHS), it was withdrawn in Himachal Pradesh in January 2022.

Since then, doctors in the state have faced career stagnation and low motivation, despite their continuous service to the public, particularly in challenging and remote hilly areas.

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The UDF has appealed to the Chief Minister of Himachal Pradesh, Shri Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu, to accept the genuine demand of the Himachal Medical Officers Association (HMOA) and bring back the DACPS. They pointed out that states like Bihar, Odisha, Madhya Pradesh, and Punjab have already implemented this system.

The association stated that restoring the scheme is not just an administrative decision but also a matter of respect and justice for doctors who are the backbone of the healthcare system.

They urged the government to act soon and ensure fair career growth for the medical officers serving the people of Himachal Pradesh.

Medical Dialogues had previously reported that over 5,000 doctors under the Odisha Medical Services Association (OMSA) warned the state government that they may cease work and submit mass resignations if their seven-point charter of demands is not fulfilled within a month.

Their 7-point charter of demands included implementing Dynamic Assured Career Progression (DACP) for all government doctors, restructuring the medical cadre which has been stagnant for seven years, extending DACP benefits and incentives to dentists, including the service periods of ad-hoc doctors for promotion eligibility, ensuring transparent transfers, prioritizing the relocation of doctors in the KBK regions, providing health insurance for government doctors, and granting the Director of Health Services the authority to handle appraisals instead of district collectors.

Not only from Odisha, but doctors from other states like Madhya Pradesh, Arunachal Pradesh, and Punjab also protested for the implementation of the Dynamic Assured Career Progression Scheme.

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