Ranchi: Around 20,000 doctors launched a protest across Jharkhand on Tuesday by wearing black badges while on duty, seeking resolution of several long-pending demands, including time-bound ‘Dynamic Assured Career Progression’ (DACP), amendments to the Clinical Establishments Act, and effective implementation of the Medical Protection Act.Jharkhand State Health Services Association (JSHSA) secretary Dr Mrityunjay Singh said, “The department has agreed to our demands. But it would need the finance department’s nod to implement them.”Stating that the agitation was for a safer working environment and improved healthcare services and not against patients, Singh said, “Govt doctors of Jharkhand lag five years behind their Bihar counterparts in financial upgradation. We receive four financial upgradations over 25 years, whereas our counterparts in Bihar receive it over 20 years. The Jharkhand govt should align its rules with those followed in Bihar.”Though the state framed recruitment rules for specialist doctors in 2015, DACP rules has not been designed in the past 11 years.The organisations are also demanding regular recruitment, resolution of issues faced by junior doctors and medical students, DACP for dental surgeons, measures to address Ayushman Bharat-related concerns, and a single-window licensing system for healthcare institutions. They have also called for stronger protection of doctors, including women doctors, and a joint monitoring mechanism involving govt and medical organisations.The next meeting is scheduled for Friday. “We are hopeful that it would yield a positive result,” a statement issued by the heath department said.On Monday, representatives of the organisations met additional chief secretary (ACS) of the health department Ajoy Kumar Singh to discuss their demands.The protest is being observed from Oct 13 to 20 under the banner of a joint conglomeration of 10 doctors’ organisations representing govt and private doctors, junior doctors, and dental professionals. On Wednesday, the doctors will submit memorandums to deputy commissioners across districts. A statewide protest is scheduled for Oct 21, followed by a proposed complete withdrawal of services from Oct 22, if the demands are unmet, they added.
