KOHIMA, MARCH 7 (MExN): Nagaland In Service Doctors Association (NIDA) on Monday demanded that the appointment of Mission Director, National Health Mission (NHM) under the Department of Health & Family Welfare be revoked within ten days with effect from March 3 or face phase-wise agitation.
In a press statement, NIDA president Dr Kedozeto Punyu and general secretary Dr Vezokholu reiterated their earlier stand on the appointment criteria of Mission Director which it asserted should be held by the medical fraternity and in the line of senior-most and not otherwise.
Even if he or she declines to hold the post, it should be given to the next senior most in line, it said. Alleging that the recent appointment of the new Mission Director was made ‘arbitrarily’ in spite of the repeated request by the Association, it said the policy of pick and choose can lead to demoralization, insincerity, indiscipline leading to collapse of health care system in the state.
The association asserted that it upholds the seniority criteria in appointment to avoid misunderstandings/ mistrust among its members so as to create conducive working atmosphere and fraternity relationships in the department.
Informing of the March 2 general body meeting, NIDA warned that if the appointment of the Mission Director was not revoked within the given timeframe, it will resort to phase-wise agitation starting with a mass casual leave on March 15, followed by total cease work of all administrative and managerial works including centrally sponsored schemes with effect from March 16 onwards-both at state and district level.
This will then be followed by total closure of all hospitals and health units, CMO office, MS office till the department revokes the appointment order, the association added.
