By Bizodisha Bureau, Bhubaneswar, September 7, 2015 : Seeking an immediate solution to professional stagnation, doctors in Odisha government-run peripheral hospitals and healthcare centres in the districts have declared to resign en mass if the Dynamic Assured Career Progression (DACP) is not implemented by October 9.

“We will start our agitation from October 2 and boycott all government programmes except treating patients coming to hospitals. Doctors will also wear black badges as a mark of protest. If a favourable decision on DACP implementation does not come by October 9, we will conduct mass dharnas at CDMO offices. Should the Government push us further, the agitation will be taken to the extent of submitting mass resignations,” Odisha Medical Service Association (OMSA) president Nirakar Bhatta saida adding that professional stagnation has been the leading cause behind doctors not joining government service.

“The situation today in Odisha medical Service cadre is such that the doctor entering service in Junior Class I level as medical officer or assistant surgeon has to wait for more than a decade or two to get promoted to Senior Class I. Most doctors are retiring even before they reach additional director rank. Why would a young doctor be interested to join Government service and stagnate professionally while he can earn much more and rise up the ranks fast enough in private sector?” Bhatta quipped.

The State suffers from an acute shortage of doctors. Out of some 4800 sanctioned posts, over 1500 are lying vacant even as 750 doctors graduate from various medical colleges in the state every year,

“The DACP was implemented by the Central government in 2006 taking into consideration the lack of promotion opportunities affecting medical service career in the government sector. As many as 13 States have already implemented DACP. Odisha too should take a decision on DACP, which assures time-bound promotion for the doctors after 4 years, 9 years, 13 years and 20 years of service, without any delay,” Bhatta added.
Bhatta also clarified that the government’s move to increase retirement age of doctors without introduction of DACP would backfire as it would further squeeze promotion chances for junior doctors.