The four demands included the time bound/time scale promotion, extension of superannuation age of doctors to 65 years as administrative post, NPA as per 7th Central Pay Commission with effect from January 1, 2016 and major amendment of the outdated MHS rules 1982, it stated.

It accused the authorities of misinterpreting the charter of demands of the AMHSDA and announced that the association will begin the shutdown of MHS DH and health centres from Tuesday onwards as declared in the press conference at Manipur Press Club on February 11.

“Despite repeated appeals followed by assurances and commitments made to bring the issue in the cabinet meeting, not a single demand was granted to date. So far, 2 or 3 cabinet meetings were held but no AMHSDA demands were discussed. In the recently concluded assembly session on February 3, AMHSDA’s four demands were haphazardly presented and misinterpreted thereby misleading the public,” it stated.

It informed that in the 1982 census, Manipur's population was about 15 lakh and the WHO guideline states that there should be one doctor for a population strength of 1,000. The present strength of doctors in the state is 1,300 to 1,400 which still does not reach WHO standard and since the present population of the state is over 30 lakh, Manipur should have 3,000 doctors to reach the WHO guidelines, it mentioned.

“With regards to the administrative crisis as stated in the assembly, out of the approximately 100 group II doctors, 16 district CMOs, 7 Medical Superintendents, eight joint directors are in administrative posts and the rest are senior specialists and SNOs who are not administrative posts,” it stated. 

AMHSDA is demanding time scale promotion like other organised services which does not concern with the number of vacancies, it added.