Nida’s call for shutdown finds support

EM Bureau

Dimapur/Kohima, Aug. 25 (EMN): Several associations involved in health service have joined the Nagaland In-service Doctors’ Association (NIDA) in observing the 24-hour shutdown of all medical services starting 6 am on August 26.

The National Health Mission Employees Association issued a statement on Tuesday informing that it will participate in the protest against the assault on a doctor by IRB personnel in Dimapur on August 21.

 The Nagaland Private Doctors’ Association also extended its ‘full support and co-operation’ to the shutdown call. “However, emergency services will remain functional,” it added.

In a separate statement, the Nagaland Medicine Dealers’ Association informed that all medical retail/wholesale shops will remain closed from 6 am to 6 pm on August 26.

“However, for meeting emergency medical services, one shop each in different localities will be kept open,” it stated.   

The Nagaland Pharmacists’ Association  also expressed support to the Nida call and informed all its members to observe the 24-hour shutdown from 6 am onwards on August 26 to show their solidarity with the medical fraternity.

Meanwhile, the president Nida, Dr. Ritu Thurr, told Eastern Mirror that the shutdown is not against anybody, but to show solidarity to the healthcare workers.

This is the third time doctors have been “brutally physically assaulted by the uniformed personnel”, he said.

‘Routine services will not be available. Official business in office will remain as it is. But district hospitals, PHCs, CHCs, and all the officials offices will be shut down,’ he added.

Therefore, the shutdown is a display of resentment and displeasure as to why “we have to be beaten up like animals on the street. If we have committed any offence, they should book us according to the IPC,” he added.