Uncertainties over proposed mass resignation of Government doctors in Jharkhand on Saturday has finally settled down with assurance from Health Minister Ramchandra Chandravanshi to accept and fulfil most of their demands and suggestions today.
While doctors have agreed to register their attendance at their assigned workstation through the biometric system, the Government has agreed to allow them private practice with a couple of riders.
After a two-week long tussle with the government on fulfillment of 20-point demands, Jharkhand Medical Service Association (JHASA) and Jharkhand wing of Indian Medical Association (IMA) representatives said today after meeting with the Health Minister and Additional Chief Secretary (Health and Family Welfare) K. Vidyasagar that they were satisfied with the promises made by the government towards their suggestions, and mass resignation decision was called off.
As per discussion, Medical Protection Bill, a longstanding demand from doctors, has been sent to the Cabinet for its approval. Private practice has been allowed, but the specialists would give their services at the place of their posting whenever required. Private practice will not be allowed outside the district of posting and no doctor will shift patients from the government hospital to his or her own setup.
However, JHASA Secretary Vimlesh Kumar Singh admitted that the most important thing, well being of patients, was unknowingly missed out during the conversation. “I admit, rather confess that not raising the question of improving basic amenities at health centres was one of our biggest mistakes on the negotiation table. Had we raised this issue, we would have seen many of our demands and suggestions automatically fulfilled,” said Singh.
He added that issues like sustainable hospital building, uninterrupted electricity and water supplies and some other things related to basic infrastructure were not something that only doctors needed, but patients needed it more. “It is also true that if doctors get their hospitals well equipped with these basic infrastructures in good condition, they wouldn’t even think of not going to there. This is something we didn’t discuss,” said Singh.
The Health Minister said that the demands and suggestions would take some time to be implemented. “Demands like allowing private practice have also been Okayed. But doctors will not do it during their office hours, and beyond the district boundary in the State. They have also promised not to shift patients from government hospital to their own nursing homes at all,” said Chandravanshi.