Times of India
01 July 2010
Jaipur, India

Medical practitioners in the state will celebrate the Doctors’ Day on Thursday, but with a difference. Nearly 1,200 medical teachers of six government medical colleges will wear black armbands at their workplace to protest against the alleged denial of benefits under the career progression scheme.

Unhappy with the lackadaisical attitude of the state machinery, they will demonstrate at the medical superintendent’s offices of the associated hospitals. Though the doctors assured that services in the hospitals won’t be affected, it is feared the patients visiting the hospitals will have a tough time following the agitation.

To express gratitude to doctors and acknowledge their dedication and commitment towards society, The Doctors Day is celebrated on July 1.

The Medical Teachers’ Association has presented an eight–point memorandum to the state government, including revision of non–practising allowance, pension scheme, academic allowances, consultation fees, pay scale equivalent to Central colleges and other facilities.

"The medical teachers are denied promotions. Despite more than 30 years of service, many teachers are yet to get their first promotion," alleged Dr R C Yadav, secretary, Rajasthan Medical College Teachers’ Association. "Every medical teacher should be entitled for at least three promotions in 10 years," he said.

Previously, the government had expressed its inability to accept the demands. However, as the issue came to a standstill, now the doctors are planning a state–wide campaign. "The demonstration on Thursday will be a symbolic protest. If the government continues to ignore our demands, we can consider mass resignation. Already due to callousness of the government, nearly 30% posts in medical colleges are lying vacant," said an associate professor at the SMS Medical College.

Due to high academic qualification required, medical teachers often get their first placement at a much older age and many of them are thus unable to complete 33 years of mandatory service required for full pension. At Central medical colleges, the service tenure required for pension has been reduced to 20 years.

According to state medical education department officials, a proposal to extend the retirement age and address other grievances of the doctors have been forwarded to the state government.

Chaos marks 108 ambulance transfer
Jaipur. The 108 emergency ambulance services were transferred to new operator Ziqitza Healthcare Limited amid protest from ambulance employees. The services are expected to be disturbed as the divide deepens between the ambulance employees and the new operator.

In the events preceding the transfer the new operator reportedly threatened not to sign the contract, while the ambulance employees threatened to go on a strike. Ziqitza officials denied the possibility of a strike and said the issue will be resolved soon after discussion.

"We have been duped, our services over the past years have gained public appreciation but the government has favoured the interest of a private company over our services," said leader of the Ambulance Service Employees Association.