NIDA to meet CS even as indefinite strike begins

Nagaland In-service Doctor’s Association (NIDA) has launched its fourth phase of agitation after its 48-hour deadline expired midnight of October 27, within which the government was to have responded to its demand for enhancement of superannuation from 60 to 62 years for all doctors without any condition or criteria.
NIDA president Dr. Bernard Amer told Nagaland Post that the doctors decided to take the step as there was no response from the government. He also said there was positive response from all district units including other associations.
Dr. Bernard also informed that the strike will not affect emergency services, emergency surgeries and ICU services but that all other services shall be shut for an indefinite period till NIDA’s demand was met.
However, Dr. Bernard also disclosed that the office of the chief secretary had requested a meeting with NIDA on Saturday and that the outcome will also determine the fate of the protest.
Contractual doctors on strike: Meanwhile, contractual doctors appointed during Covid-19 pandemic are on protest in the form of total cease work due to non-payment of salary since the past four months.
The doctors were appointed during covid-19 pandemic on contractual basis. One of the contractual doctors, told Nagaland Post that they have been facing irregular payment of salaries since their appointments.
He said, non-payment of salaries on the part of the has compelled contractual doctors to resort to the strike.
It was also informed that contractual doctors manning ICUs will also cease work by next week if their salaries remain unpaid by the government.
ANMLTA backs NIDA
All Nagaland Medical Laboratory Technician Association (ANMLTA) on Friday, expressed support and solidarity with NIDA over its demands and urged upon the government to consider demand on enhancement of superannuation from 60 to 62 years.
ANMLTA through its joint secretary Axuto noted that without doctors, the entire health care delivery system would collapse and resulting in loss of lives.
The association said this can be prevented if the government responded in time to NIDA’s demand since lives are precious and NIDA’s demand was genuine.
ANMLTA also said that NIDA, in the first place, had clearly stated that it (NIDA) has no intention of confronting the government on any issues. ANMLTA however, said NIDA was compelled to initiate its indefinite strike when the government failed to fulfil the latter’s demand even after several appeals and also serving a memorandum to the government.
ANMLTA also recalled the sacrifices made by doctors and healthcare workers when the pandemic struck without warning amid acute shortage of medical manpower.
In this regard, ANMLTA urged upon the government to resolve the issue with NIDA amicably. Further ANMLTA claimed that since all other states and union territories had already implemented the superannuation amendment, it considered NIDA’s demand as genuine and urged upon the state government to fulfil the demand as had been assured.