Kohima, October 22 (MExN): The Nagaland In-Service Doctors’ Association (NIDA) today asked the State Government to review “re-employment” as envisaged by the notification the July 17, 2022 notification.
“Let it be made into actual translation of enhanced superannuation age of 62 years for doctors without any condition and criteria,” the association stated in a press release.
It further called for recruiting “sufficient doctors to fill all the vacant and sanctioned posts and regularise all contract appointments made during the COVID-19 pandemic.”
This, the NIDA contended, would ensure smooth running of healthcare delivery system.
It further maintained that it is never in the interest the NIDA as a ‘matured association’ to “confront” the Government of Nagaland (GoN) on any issues but rather contribute to the healthcare delivery system. Likewise, the GoN also expected to take advantage of the opportunity and utilise the technical expertise and human resources of the NIDA to serve the best interest of the government, it said.
However, it noted that the superannuation issue has become a matter of contention between the two, and charged the policy makers of unfortunately failing to understand the finer points of the issue and using deceptive methods to mislead both the association and the general public of Nagaland.
In this connection, the NIDA (re) highlighted to the general public on why the Nagaland needs enhanced superannuation age for doctors more than any other states.
Shortages of doctors
According to the association, the Prime Minister of India Narendra Modi on May 26, 2016 first announced the enhancement of the retirement age of government doctors to 65 years to mitigate the problem of acute shortage of the doctors in the country.
The central government subsequently amended the fundamental rules for doctors on August 11, 2018 and almost all the states across India including North-East States have implemented the order, it said.
Further, the recommended doctor-population ratio according to the World Health Organisation is 1:1000. whereas national average stands at 1: 1445 as per Economic Survey 2019-2020 while in Nagaland State it is 1: 4056 as per the Projected Population of 2020, it maintained.
The sanctioned posts for doctors (including dental surgeon) in Government sector stand at 548 and while 435 are filled (322 regular+113 contract), the rest 113 are still vacant, it added.
In this regard, the NIDA maintained that while department of Health & Family Welfare Nagaland has advertised for filling up the vacancies, it could not be filled due to lack of applicants and resignation after joining the service.
The shortfall will stand at 326 for MBBS doctors, 13 for dental surgeon and 20 for AYUSH for various health units if the Indian Public Health Standards (IPHS) norms is applied in Nagaland, it said adding that the number will increase further if posts creation for the newly created districts are considered.
The two upcoming medical colleges will also require more doctors to fill the faculty positions, it added.
It is in the best interest of the government and not the NIDA per se to retain the most experienced doctors as the state is not in a position to outsource doctors from outside, the NIDA contended.
Accordingly, the association argued that immediate action should be to retain the experienced doctors in the State.
Further highlighting on the chain of events on the issue, the NIDA informed that a memorandum was first submitted by the association in August 2016 to the State Government. The association knowing the position of the Government scaled down its demand of superannuation age from 65 to 62 years for all, it said.
With no positive response for 5 years, on January 25, 2021, the NIDA registered its first resentment by wearing black arm bands. On April 8, 2021, it also announced the start of second phase of agitation in the form of three-day mass casual leave from April 12, which was keep in abeyance after appeal from Chief Secretary of Nagaland.
An indefinite cease work except for emergency services from April 15 was also called off on April 17 after the Chief Secretary’s appeal and gave assurance to the NIDA in writing that, “the Government is actively considering the matter relating to the increase in the superannuation age of medical doctors and offered to resolved the matter within a period not exceeding one year”
Thereafter on April 21, 2022, the Cabinet decided to enhance the superannuation age of all the doctors from 60 to 62 years through Re-employment, which was outrightly rejected by the NIDA on April 26 and called for a review.
After a lapse of 3 months without any response, the NIDA again announced the indefinite cease work from July 18, 2022, which was kept in abeyance in view of H&FW Minister’s appeal in view of the Presidential Election.
Accordingly, the NIDA reiterated its demand to review “re-employment” as envisaged by the notification the July 17, 2022 notification.
