Wearing black bands as a symbol of defiance, doctors at Hamidia Hospital on Thursday joined their counterparts across the state in protest. Their demands for fair pay, career progression, and autonomy have been ignored for too long.
The movement aims to push the government into action. Medical officers, teachers, doctors, and junior doctors gathered at Hamidia Hospital’s Block-2, voicing their frustrations. This protest includes 52 district hospitals, community and primary health centres, and medical colleges across Madhya Pradesh.
The Doctors’ Federation demands a high-level committee, as directed by the High Court, proper implementation of the Dynamic Assured Career Progression (DACP) and Non-Practicing Allowance (NPA), full benefits of the Seventh Pay Commission, and reduced administrative interference in medicine.Dr Rakesh Malviya, Chief Convenor of the Doctors' Federation, says that the protest is not about new demands but unresolved issues. He stressed that despite court orders and Cabinet approvals, implementation has been lacking, leaving doctors with no choice but to agitate. The DACP scheme ensures timely promotions and salary hikes, improving career prospects for doctors. Introduced in many states after 2008, its partial implementation has sparked resentment among medical professionals, making their struggle for justice even more urgent.
The protest will intensify in the coming days, with the medicos burning essential medicines and holding a state-wide mass fast before launching a public awareness campaign titled "Save Medicine – Save Doctors" to draw attention to their demands.