Itanagar, Feb 18: Frustrated over prolonged bureaucratic delays and unfulfilled promises, the Arunachal Pradesh Doctors' Association (APDA) has announced a two-day strike on February 21 and 22, demanding urgent reforms in the state’s healthcare system.
The association has raised concerns over the sluggish implementation of the Dynamic Assurance Career Program, delays in appointing newly recruited General Duty Medical Officers (GDMOs) by the Arunachal Pradesh Public Service Commission (APPSC), and stalled transfer and posting orders of service doctors.
Adding to their grievances, APDA pointed out that 13 key promotional positions, including those of the Director of Medical Education (DME), Director of Health Services (DHS), and Joint DHS, have been lying vacant for the past seven months without any efforts to fill them.
APDA general secretary, Dr Kabak Tamar said the root of the problem lies in bureaucratic inefficiencies and slow file processing, which he claims have crippled the healthcare administration.
He further accused the health commissioner and secretary of displaying a lack of interest in resolving doctors’ demands and called for their immediate removal.
“We are tired of waiting. Instead of supporting doctors, the administration keeps issuing show-cause notices for minor issues, making it difficult for us to perform our duties. The work environment has become toxic, with senior doctors being shouted at and humiliated during meetings by the Health secretary. This kind of intimidation must stop,” Dr Tamar stated.
While APDA has taken the drastic step of calling a strike, it has assured the public that emergency services, including the emergency ward and outpatient departments (OPD), will remain operational to ensure that urgent medical care is not disrupted.