Doctors at Hamidia Hospital stepped up their protest on Friday by burning unstandardised medicines to highlight their long-standing demands.
The demonstration, part of a statewide movement led by the Medical Federation, aimed to draw attention to the presence of ineffective medicines in government hospitals and the authorities’ failure to act.
Dr Rakesh Malviya, convener of the Medical Federation, explained that these medicines are considered unstandardised due to their lower-than-required potency.
“If a patient requires 500 mg of paracetamol, but the medicine contains only 300 mg, it fails to deliver the necessary treatment,” he said. The protest served as a symbolic demand for stringent action against those responsible for their procurement.
The agitation extends beyond Bhopal, with protests in 52 district hospitals, community hospitals, primary healthcare centres, and medical colleges.
Doctors demand the formation of a high-level committee, proper implementation of the Dynamic Assured Career Progression (DACP) scheme as approved by the Cabinet, and benefits under the Seventh Pay Commission.
Protest leaders emphasise that their demands are not new. “We are only asking for the implementation of already approved decisions,” they stated. The key demands include timely resolution of fundamental issues, execution of Cabinet decisions made on 4th October, and revision of basic salaries under the Seventh Pay Commission. They also seek the elimination of administrative interference in the Public Health and Medical Education Department, seniority-based appointments of technical experts, and a safe working environment for doctors.
