SHIMLA: Over 200 medical officers(MOs) on contract, who are backbone of rural health care in Himachal, have upped their anger against the Jai Ram Thakur government as their services have not been regularised till today due to indifferent attitude of state Health Department and Directorate.
Not only this, as many as 40 posts of block medical officers(BMO) are lying vacant as the state health directorate has shown no concern to fill these posts.
These MOs along with health workers worked as Corona warriors in Pandemic vaccination drive and rendered health services to the rural people during the difficult time.
NO DPC for Last One Year in Health Directorate
The directorate could have given opportunities to the eligible medical officers to work to uplift the poor health services in rural Himachal where patients and public continue to suffer for a want of BMO. "No DPC meetings have been done by the directorate for the last one year", rued the HP Medical Officers Association (HPMOA).
The medical officers (MO) have been rendering their health services in the Primary Health, Community health Centres in rural Himachal for the last two years. “We have completed 2 years of contract services on March 31, 2022. But the state health department and directorate have been sitting on our files to regularise our services”, resented the medical officers.
NPA Not Paid to MOs Despite CM's Directions
Medical officers are also disappointed on the issue of non-payment of Non-Practicing Allowance (NPA) to MOs on the basis of new pay-scales even after one year has passed. Chief Minister has committed it and state government has issued directions on this.
But the MOs on contract basis have been denied the NPA on new pay scales in 30 medical blocks, including six blocks in Mandi, the home district of Chief Minister, since January, 2022, rued the doctors.
HPMOA said the state government has given 150 percent hike on the grade pay to all employees on contract in Himachal. But even this has not been paid to medical officers working in six blocks in Mandi and 20 blocks in the state so far, association pointed out.
The district treasuries of Mandi and Kangra have stopped this payment to MOs in Mandi and Kangra. This dictatorial tactic of the treasuries were brought to the CM a year back, but the government has not taken action in this regard so far”, rued MOs.
Even the retired MOs face the same indifferent attitude of the health directorate. “Pension fixation has not been done by the Directorate till today for the retired medical officers, who have retired after 01.01. 2016”, said Dr Jivanand Chauhan, President, HMOA.
After the pension is fixed, it was to be implemented from March, 2022. "HMOA has pleaded it to the number of time, but the directorate has turned a blind eye on this as well till date", Dr Chauhan said.
Health Officials are on the Job
On the other hand, the officials have pleaded that the directorate has not sent the files to the department for action so far. They are aware about the delay and department is on the job, they added.
