Angry over the callous approach of the State health department by not fulfilling the year-long pending demands of the association, the diploma pharmacists went on mass leave on Saturday.
They have also threatened to intensify their agitation in the near future if their demands are not met by the State Government in the given time frame. All those patients who visited the Government-run district hospitals, community health centres, primary health centres, health centres were diagnosed by the medical officers but the patients went home without having free life saving drugs due to the State-wide agitation called on by the pharmacists.
However, emergency medical services were not included on the first day of the agitation but the Uttarakhand Diploma Pharmacist Association office-bearers have also threatened to intensify their agitation, if their demands are not by the State Government in the given time frame.
Medical and health services were disrupted in Government establishments as pharmacists started State-wide agitation from Saturday in support of their year-long pending demands.
Distribution of medicines and syrups was cancelled, resulting hundreds of patients were referred to private clinics. Government pharmacists held a meeting in Doon Hospital to air their plight which includes pay anomaly, risk allowances, appointment of pharmacists, issue of seniority list, service rule, timely promotion etc.
After expressing resentment over the issue, BS Payal, former State president, Uttarakhand Diploma Pharmacist Association (UDPA) said that memorandum highlighting our demands was given several times to top bureaucrats and public representatives but the State Government is yet to take effective steps for redressing the grievances of association.
He said that association office-bearers have also decided to withdraw their agitation once their year long pending demands are met by the State Government.He said that the agitated pharmacists are in a mood of a decisive show and will withdraw their agitation only after demands are fulfilled by the Government.
“Hundreds of posts have been lying vacant in every district since the State came into being existence but no steps have been initiated by the Government for fulfilling the vacant posts,” he maintained, adding that pharmacists appointed in the hilly terrains of the State are having a tough time due to the department’s apathy towards their association and were not transferred for years.BS Kalura, CS Mahra, SS Chauhan, DP Thaplilyal, S Nakoti, SS Aswal ad many more were present.