Dimapur, June 15 (MExN): The Nagaland Junior Doctors Association (NJDA) today demanded immediate revocation of the “unethical” regularization of 27 MO posts and re-advertise it for open and fair recruitment.
In a press release on June 15, NJDA also demanded the Government to withhold the 36 MO posts advertised on contingency basis till a consensus is arrived, while demanding for immediate creation of not less than 100 GDMO posts within the current financial year to overcome the acute shortage of doctors in the State.
The association further asked the Government to ensure that all foreign medical graduates (FMGs) clear their MCI exam in order to practice in the State without which their credentials will be highly questionable.
The NJDA also expressed shock at the “insensitive response” of the PD, H&FW and his total lack of compassion. “Enough grievances and petition has been given to the Directorate by submitting memorandum and meeting him personally by the Association representatives,” it said.
It also claimed that when some posts were sent up for contingency basis till it is filled through NPSC because of the current pandemic situation, “it was apparently snatched by the Cabinet in the form of regularizing 27 post.”
“When PD is suppose to look after the welfare and grievances of its juniors, such ignorant and step motherly treatment towards its own fraternity has demoralized the members completely. The statement ‘there is no question of fair or unfair….in a situation where nobody wants to apply…some have come and that is one thing’ is a rhetorical statement lacking logic with no substantial explanation on how government ‘khushi khushi’ policies take place,” it said. If at all it has to be regularized, it should have been the NHM doctors, who have been shouldering the responsibility from Day-1 of COVID-19 pandemic not forgetting their years of services rendered till today, the NJDA stated.
The NJDA also conveyed to the Nagaland Pradesh Congress Committee (NPCC) that MO post creation was one of the association’s main agenda and has been pursuing it for the past 2-3 years.
“Post creation of any grade is a welcome step but when created, recruitment whatsoever should be fair and transparent. And as an esteemed political party on opposition, it should keep the government moves in check and insist on fair policy of recruitment. It may be noted that those 27 posts was not post creation, it was against vacant sanctioned posts. Successive governments have neglected the health sector in our state for decades. It is an undeniable fact and for everyone to see. Had the previous governments been sincere and concerned enough, shortage of manpower wouldn’t have happened at least to this extent,” it said.
The NJDA further pointed out the progress in health sector vis-avis post creation and medical institutes in the neighbouring states of Manipur, Assam, Mizoram and Arunachal Pradesh and said that in Nagaland “only 80 MO (allopathy) posts were advertised for open recruitment by NPSC from the year 2011 till 2019 with no post creation at all.” Functional medical college still remains a far distant dream, it added.
