Lemwang Chuhwanglim, PhD
Mon, Nagaland
Unless it is clarified, even truth remains a lie; similarly, the vague statement of Government on NIDA’s demand remains unclear to the common people, or either Government concealed its truth, or concealed the truth of NIDA’s genuine demand. On the other hand, NIDA’s statements through numerous platforms such as news paper, press conference, YouTube video and so on, indicate that NIDA has legitimate demand for superannuation age of doctors in the state.
From a laymen’s perspective, the genesis of NIDA’s demand is identified as the subsequent initiative to the announcement from the Prime Minister of India, on 26th May, 2016, stated, the retirement age for government medical doctors in the country is increased to 65 years. The announcement appeared genuine based on the need of more doctors in the country for there are acute shortages of doctors; subsequently, retain senior experienced doctors. Since NIDA has made vivid statement on its demand, it appears clear that the demand is legitimate; whereas Government’s clear statement remains due. There are confusions from the Government that stated, initially, centre had not issued any directive for such implementation, secondly, agreement made between NIDA and Government, on the said demand, the recent press released stated, there is division in the group and warning doctors if stand against the Government.
There seem logical retrospections on the demand of NIDA as follows. The announcement for superannuation age of doctors across the country, including Nagaland, came from the Prime Minister of India, not from any temporary person, individuals, groups or NGOs. Numerous medical colleges are blooming, which includes two new medical colleges in Nagaland where more doctors are inevitable to train new medical aspirants. Most importantly, Nagaland with current situation like, creation of 6 new Districts; certainly require more health centres, more medical doctors, more health teams staffs, emerging more young graduate medical doctors, the increasing population in the State and Doctors demand for 62 years from the announced 65 years. These genuine situations in the State portrays clear that NIDA demands focuses on the interest and needs of the common people and the development of the State, not for the benefits of individuals.
The indecisive delay response from Government to NIDA’s demand would portray a hungry man that devalues food after filling empty stomach. In an emergency situation like the recent pandemic, for both Government and the people, the paramount priority human resource required in every nook and corner were doctors. The importance of doctors in the State is immeasurable that, situation like NIDA’s demand needs rigorous analysis, strong attention and support from the people and Government. Eventually, the victims of the indecisive repercussion between Government and Doctors will be the common people. To abrogate and relegate such unexpected victims’ situation, every citizen must be part of the problem and solution in every possible mean, than being mere spectators. The exchange of threat between Government and NIDA for any untoward situation anticipated by the common people will remain a regretful history in the Naga society. Be it Government or NIDA, anything that goes beyond tolerance brings only intolerance.
