If the government does not implement their four-point demand by March 12, Jharkhand’s physicians will engage in an indefinite strike following 12 hours of symbolic boycott protests.
At a joint meeting of the Jharkhand Health Service Association (JHSA), the Indian Medical Association (IMA), and five other organisations held in Ranchi on Wednesday evening, it was decided to bring the problem of doctors to the attention of the governor, the chief minister, the assembly speaker, and the health minister.
“Doctors’ organisations will reevaluate the government’s response to physicians’ demands on March 10. If demands are not met by March 12, all 14,000 physicians will engage in an indefinite strike, according to Dr. Thakur Mritunjay Kumar Singh, secretary of the JHSA, and Prateek Kumar Singh, secretary of the Indian Medical Association.
In addition, the IMA Women’s wing president, Dr. Bharti Kashyap, the IMA Jharkhand coordinator, Dr. Ajay Kumar Singh, the IMA Ranchi president, Dr. Shambhu Prasad, the secretary, Dr. Sudhir Kumar, the joint secretary, Dr. Ajit Kumar, Dr. Bimlesh Kumar Singh, and the office bearers of other organisations present at the meeting strongly advocated for drastic action (indefinite strike).
At the meeting, JHSA and IMA representatives also disclosed the agitation schedule. On March 5, instructors and physicians of Rajendra Institute of Medical Sciences (RIMS) will march with candles from RIMS to IMA Building.
Dr Thakur Mritunjay Kumar Singh and Dr Pradip Kumar Singh stated that the primary demands of JHSA, IMA, Medical Colleges Teachers Association, Jharkhand Junior Doctors Association, and others are immediate severe action against assaulters of doctors, implementation of the Medical Protection Act (MPA), and exclusion of 50-bed hospitals and single clinics from the purview of the Clinical Establishment Act (CEA).
In addition, agitated doctor organisations have requested that medical personnel in the state be exempt from biometric attendance on par with police officers.
“Since health service falls under emergency service, it seems impractical to retain doctors under it,” they said.
Notably, Federation of Jharkhand Chamber of Commerce, Lawyers Association supported physicians and attended the meeting for the first time.
