A number of 68 Ayush doctors managing Mobile Health Unit (MHU) in KBK districts of Odisha are yet to be regularised even after 20 years of their appointment.
MHU programme was started to provide minimum health facilities to the people of remote and hilly areas of KBK districts in 1996. Non availability of MBBS candidates had forced the Government to engage Ayush doctors in the service in the year 2001 and consequently 68 Ayush MHU doctors were appointed, who have been working relentlessly in the remote areas of KBK districts.
The Government, in year 2008, regularised contractual pharmacists vide a resolution and subsequently completed all formalities for the regularisation of all 68 Ayush doctors and note sheet was approved by all concerned departments, including CM. But for unknown reasons, the process was put in the cold storage after a few months. "The draft resolution prepared for the final approval was ready, but we failed to understand why then Health Secretary kept that pending," rued the Ayush doctors.The process was resumed again in the year 2017 and files moved for approval of the CM. "When the the Finance and Law departments as well as the Advocate General have taken positive views and given consent, there should not be any delay in decision in favour ofAyush doctors," opined doctors. Official note sheets reveal that, principally it has already been decided thatregularisation can be done by exercising executive power of Government in the x-cadre post.
The Ayush doctors said that they have drawn attention ofChief Minister by submitting petitions in CM's grievance, but there is no progress in case. "It is regretted that, although we are entrusted with many public health responsibilitieslike RMNCH+A, immunisation, NCD and Covid, we are discriminated," lamented doctors.