Dimapur, Nov. 5 (EMN): The Konyak Union (KU) has expressed dismay over the failure of the state government to address doctor’s superannuation age issue, saying that the statewide indefinite strike by the Nagaland In-Service Doctors’ Association (NIDA) since October 28 has disrupted health services to the people.
The state government had increased the superannuation age of medical doctors from 60 to 62 years through re-employment in the clinical sector and up to 65 years in medical college with same financial benefits as granted during their erstwhile service, but NIDA is demanded the enhancement of retirement age to 62 years for doctors without any condition and criteria.
“Access to health care is a basic human right. It is the responsibility of the government to ensure availability of smooth healthcare services to the people of the state,” read the press release from KU.
“Mon District being one of the remotest areas with large population depends on the lone Government District Hospital. There are very few alternative health centres for the sick across the district. Many people suffering from various ailments are left unattended due to the prevailing issue.
“It is pertinent to mention that Mon district has already been facing an acute shortage of medical doctors in all the health centres; therefore, the Konyak Union questions the state government as to whether the government can shoulder the responsibility of any casualty arising out of the NIDA agitation,” it added.
The Ku also requested the government to sincerely peruse the demand of the medical doctors and settle it decisively in order to provide continuous health care services.