The Ayush Doctors’ Association, Cuttack on Sunday threatened to resort to agitation during the Monsoon Session of the State Assembly to press its two-point charter of demands — career advancement policy and facilities at par with MBBS doctors.
Association president Dr Kaniska Bodhisatwa told mediapersons here that around 1,400 Ayush doctors working at 1,162 health institutions in 314 blocks under National Health Mission since 2007 are deprived of basic facilities.
“We are educated and trained at par with MBBS doctors. But we are struggling for last seven years for confirmation of our jobs,” said Bodhisatwa.
Association working president Dr Subhakanta Panda said the Ayush doctors are not only discharging their own duties but also attending outdoor and indoor patients.
“Salary paid to us is too meagre compared to other States where their minimum monthly salary is Rs 30,000. Those who have already worked for more than six years are still awaiting regularisation of their jobs,” said Panda. “We demand regularisation of our jobs and salary as per the guidelines of National Rural Health Mission,” he said.
When there was no response from the Government after repeated pleas, a delegation of Ayush doctors recently met the Health Minister and Secretary. Since they also did not respond favourably, they decided to go to the streets.