SUBHASH MISHRA
Dhanbad, Sept 6: The oath-taking ceremony of the Jharkhand Health Service Association’s (JHSA) new executive committee (2022-24) would be held in IAM Building Ranchi on September 11.
Outgoing secretary Dr Bimlesh Kumar, while giving this information today, said that the health minister Bannan Gupta would be the chief guest of the installation function. Besides it, several senior officer of health department, former presidents of JHSA Dr Sumant Mishra, Dr Praveen Chandra, IMA state president Dr AK Singh, secretary Dr Pradip Kumar Singh would also grace the occasion.
The election of new committee (2022-24) of JHSA (the frontal organization of state government doctors) held on August 21. But oath taking ceremony of newly elected office bearers was held up to ensure participation of health minister as chief guest in the function.
Challenges before new committee
Dr Bimlesh Kumar Singh admitted that pending meeting of Dynamic Assured Career Progression (DACP) scheme, pending promotion of medical officers and bio-metric attendance of doctors on emergency duty are some of the burning issues newly elected body would have to take up.
Outgoing JHSA secretary said that government should fix duty hour of doctors on emergency duty and they should be exempted from biometric attendance system for streamlining smooth services to patients.
As per guidelines, a doctor has to work 42 hours in a week. After completion of duty a doctor can’t ignore if emergency call comes from hospital.”So doctors on emergency duty should be exempted from biometric attendance. It is challenge before new committee to take up”, he said.
Newly elected office bearers would have to also raise issue with government over pending meeting of DACP. Former principal secretary health K Vidyasagar had fixed two meetings in a year for giving DACP to doctors. But in last three years no meeting has held and DACP is pending to several medical officers.
JHSA official has also expressed concern over pending promotion of medical officers. “ different programme officers in all 24 districts are still working on deputation in lack of promotion. It would be challenge for new committee to raise the issue with government for promotion as well as regular appointment of programme officer”, said Dr Singh.
