SUBHASH MISHRA
Dhanbad, Oct.30: Eighteen days old OPD boycott of junior (JR) and senior residents (SR) of Medini Rai Medical College Hospital (MRMCH), Palamu is set to escalate as their counterparts in other four medical colleges of the state have resolved to jump in their support.
JR and SR (non -academic) of MRMCH have been boycotting the OPD services since October 12 and have served notice to stay away from emergency duty from November 1 against nonpayment of their honorarium that is pending for the last four months.
Indian Medical Association (IMA), Ranchi chapter has also supported the stir of Palamu Medical College’s JRs and SRs.
“It is shocking that even during festivals; salary payment has not been done for four months. It is ironic that on one hand the government has banned private practice while on the other hand, it does not pay salaries. That is why doctors are not appearing for interviews for government vacancies,” said Dr Ajit Kumar, Joint Secretary IMA.
In the absence of authorised Drawing and Disbursing Officer (DDO) in the hospital, honorarium payment of junior and senior residents is held up since July. The crisis has prevailed after the transfer of the superintendent, Dr KN Singh, to Mahatma Gandhi Memorial Medical College Hospital (MGMMCH) Jamshedpur as its principal.
Though Dr. Singh handed over his charge to the senior teacher, Dr RD Nagesh, the state government has not given him drawing and disbursing power to sign on bills for payment to junior and senior residents.
“We had given prior notice to the hospital management on October 6 about our OPD boycott from October 12. We didn’t receive any response and therefore started the protest. Interestingly, even in 18 days of the stir, the government has not assigned drawing and disbursing power to anyone. So now we have served notice for staying away from emergency duty,” said a junior resident.
MRMCH Principal, Dr Shailendra Kumar, on Saturday admitted to having received emergency boycott notices from junior and senior residents. “We have duly informed the state government and Deputy Commissioner about the notice given by doctors,” said the principal.
Dr. Shailendra Kumar said that the government has already allotted funds for the honorarium of doctors but in absence of drawing and disbursing power, their payment is held up.
It is to be noted that Paramedical staff and outsourcing employees of the hospital have already been on a strike for payment of their salary.
