Other States - Orissa

State unfazed by doctors’ threat

BHUBANESWAR: A day after government doctors tendered their mass resignation, the Orissa government on Tuesday tried to downplay the threat saying there was still time left to decide on the matter.

Reacting to reports that doctors would not join their duties from November 9, State Health Minister Sanatan Bisi said the three doctors were given a month time to respond to the government’s dismissal notice.

“We are ready to hold discussion with doctors on the contentious issues. There is no pre-condition for talks,” Mr. Bisi told reporters.

On Tuesday the three doctors, who “disarticulated” palms of tribals, who were killed in police firing in Kalinga Nagar area, were served notice as to why they should not be dismissed from the job. They were asked to respond within a month.

However, Orissa Medical Services Association (OMSA) representatives were not happy as the way the State government took the threat lightly.

“This is not the first time administration appeared to be not serious on our issues. Each time we have served ultimatum, the government dilly-dallies the matter. It takes a decision at the last moment by that time doctors and patients live with uncertainty,” OMSA president Madhusudan Mishra said.

He said almost all the doctors had submitted their resignation papers with the association, which in turn sent those to the Health Department. “Although authorities understand that the situation is grave, OMSA has never been contacted on the issue throughout the day,” Dr. Mishra said.

He said the OMSA was pressing for reinstatement of three doctors, restructuring of medical services cadre and mechanism to secure safety of doctors in workplace.

“We are not going to withdraw our resignation papers, if any one of the issues was postponed to be discussed on a latter date,” OMSA president said.

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