Increase superannuation age of doctors within stipulated time frame — Nida

Dimapur, Jan. 25 (EMN): Nagaland In-service Doctors’ Association (Nida) has appealed to the state government to implement increasing the superannuation age of doctors within the assured stipulated time frame.

In a statement issued on Tuesday, Nida reminded that the government on April 17, 2021 gave a written assurance through the office of the chief secretary that "the Government is actively considering the matter relating to the increase in the superannuation of Medical doctors and offered to resolve the matter within a period not exceeding one year".

“The Association is however dismayed that nothing tangible has been worked out so far. It is all the more disheartening that the sub-committee formed for addressing the issue took more than six long months after the assurance and has so far done precious little even after more than three months of its formation,” read the statement.

Nida said that during the last meeting with the sub-committee members on December 14, 2021, the Association had rejected the Government's verbal offer of 60 years for doctors in administrative (office) works and 62 years for doctors in clinical (hospital) works as superannuation age.

“The core demand of Nida remains the same as stated in the Memo dated 27th Oct 2020 i.e 62 years for administrative post and 65 years for clinical post, without taking into account the length of service. The deadline of 16th April 2022 is now less than 3 months away and gauging from the lack of urgency and seriousness from the Government's side, the Association is very skeptical of the government resolving the issue within the stipulated period,” it read.

It said that the first memorandum on the issue had been submitted in August 2016 while several others had been re-submitted to the government.

“The often-repeated reference to the Prime Minister's announcement was to address the issue of acute shortage of Medical doctors in the country and to retain the services of experienced doctors for a longer period,” it read.

Nida stated that in Nagaland, the total sanctioned cadre of MBBS doctors was 511, 37 dental surgeons and 27 Ayush medical officers.

The shortfall of MBBS doctors is 326, dental surgeons is 13 and Ayush MO is 20 for various clinical positions in the existing health units as per 1PHS, Nida informed, and added that 248 doctors will be required for the two upcoming medical colleges at Kohima and Mon.

Nida stated that during the intervening period since the submission of its demand, at least 42 doctors had retired from service.

The Association has therefore appealed to the government to address the issue on ‘war footing with concrete results’.

“Moreover if the Association observes further lack of urgency on the part of the government the Association will be constrained to resort to other measures of protest including total cease work throughout the state,” it added.