Ranchi, Oct 13: Doctors across Jharkhand have launched a statewide Black Badge programme from October 13 to 20 to press for better workplace safety, professional dignity and resolution of service-related issues, the IMA Jharkhand Joint Medical Movement said on Tuesday.
As part of the planned agitation, representatives of participating medical organisations will hold joint press conferences at all district headquarters on October 14 and submit memorandum to the respective Deputy Commissioners (DCs), seeking action on their demands.
The memorandum will seek administrative intervention on issues that can be addressed at the district level and the forwarding of state-level policy demands to the competent authorities.
The decision to proceed with the movement was taken at a joint meeting held via Google Meet on October 12, attended by representatives of medical organisations and a large number of government and private doctors. According to the movement, the participants unanimously agreed to continue with the previously announced programme.
Ten organisations are participating in the joint movement: IMA Jharkhand State Branch, Jharkhand Health Services Association (JHASA), IMA Hospital Board of India (IMA HBI), Association of Healthcare Providers India (AHPI), IMA Women’s Wing, Jharkhand Doctors Association (JDA), Junior Doctors Network (JDN), Federation of All India Medical Association (FAIMA), Medical Students Network (MSN) and Indian Dental Association (IDA).
The common minimum programme includes demands for the effective implementation of the Jharkhand Medical Protection Act, practical amendments to the Clinical Establishment Act, timely career progression for doctors under the Dynamic Assured Career Progression (DACP) scheme and regular appointments. Other demands include resolving issues faced by junior doctors and medical students, extending DACP to dentists, addressing issues related to Ayushman Bharat, introducing a single-window licensing system for healthcare institutions and establishing a joint monitoring mechanism involving the government and medical organisations. The movement has also emphasised the safety and dignity of women doctors.
According to the announced schedule, a statewide protest will be held on October 21. If concrete action is not taken on the demands, the organisations have proposed a complete work boycott from October 22, while stressing the need to protect emergency and life-saving medical services during the agitation.
The organisations said the movement was not directed against patients but aimed at securing a safe and respectful working environment for doctors and strengthening the delivery of safe, better-quality healthcare to the people of Jharkhand.
The joint movement has appealed to the state government and the concerned authorities to initiate constructive dialogue and take timely action on the medical community’s demands.
