Patna: The Bihar Health Services Association (BHSA) on Sunday held a general body meeting followed by a protest march from the IMA Hall to the J P Roundabout, demanding immediate govt intervention on workplace safety, delayed promotions and administrative issues allegedly affecting doctors across the state.
Representatives from districts across the state participated in the meeting, where the association unanimously passed a resolution highlighting growing professional discontent and security concerns among medical practitioners.
BHSA general secretary Dr Rohit Kumar said around 1,000 doctors attended the programme. “We will place our demands before CM Samrat Choudhary, health minister Nishant Kumar and chief secretary Pratyaya Amrit on Monday and seek an early meeting with them,” he said.
The association strongly opposed the govt’s proposed blanket ban on private practice by govt doctors. It argued that any such decision should be taken only after consultation with stakeholders. Instead, the BHSA proposed an optional Non-Practising Allowance (NPA) model under which doctors could either receive NPA at par with central standards or continue regulated private practice. Doctors warned that a forced ban amid acute manpower shortages, poor infrastructure and low salaries could trigger mass resignations and severely impact rural healthcare services.
On safety issues, the association demanded stricter provisions in the state’s healthcare protection law, including a minimum 10-year jail term for attacks on doctors and vandalism in hospitals. It also sought armed security guards, time-bound legal action in assault cases and better housing facilities for doctors.
The BHSA further opposed the promotion of non-MBBS cadres to senior administrative posts and demanded that such positions remain reserved for medical professionals. It also sought immediate notification of pending promotions and Dynamic Assured Career Progression (DACP) benefits, reservation in postgraduate seats for in-service doctors, rural allowances and cashless health cards of up to Rs50 lakh for serving and retired doctors.
Adwitiya primarily covers crime and civic stories. She has in the...
Read MoreAdwitiya primarily covers crime and civic stories. She has in the past written on varied topics, including decline of the glass bangle culture, illegal trade of firecrackers in Champahati, West Bengal apart from many more on food and travel. She has recently completed her PGDM in journalism from Xavier's, Mumbai. She loves music and is very affectionate about animals.
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