Assam Medical Service Association continues protest; boycotts OPD services

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• Nov 1, 2021 | moderator

The Assam Medical Service Association (AMSA) has decided to continue its protest as the government has failed to solve its issues. To continue the stir, they decided to boycott Out Patient Department (OPD) duties.

The association started boycotting its OPD duties from today, November 1, 2021. This step highlights the continuation of protest by the association against the government.

The protest started on October 19 this year. AMSA decided to continue until the state government met their demands.

"If the state government do not meet our requirements, then we will take even more critical measures. We additionally had a meeting with the health minister. Although he promised us to fulfil our requirements, it has not yet been fulfilled," stated Kanak Chandra Talukdar, General Secretary of AMSA.

Earlier, the association also boycotted OPD charges on October 22, October 26, October 27 and 28. Following the emergent office bearers' meeting, AMSA decided to extend the agitation on November 1, November 2 and November 3.

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He further stated that as per Indian Public Health Standard, there should be one doctor against 3000 patients. However, Assam stays to serve according to the 1:5000 proportion in terms of doctors and patients.

There are 4420 doctors in Assam, but 3038 posts are still vacant. The remaining 1482 posts are still vacant, and the state government is least concerned to fill up the vacant posts.

Assam Medical Service Association demands the government to modify cadre review, time-scale increment for health doctors, two advance additions to the Diploma Holder of Srimanta Sankaradeva University of Health Sciences.

The demands also include timely promotions for health doctors at all levels, more postgraduation seats, and doctors for evening OPD services.

Most significantly, the organization asks the government to fill up the vacant doctor posts.