NEIGRIHMS resident doctors call off ‘total shutdown’ after meeting with Hek
SHILLONG | April 04, 2019:
The NEIGRIHMS Resident Doctors' Association (NRDA) on Thursday called off the 'total shutdown' of medical services following a meeting with Meghalaya Health Minister, AL Hek , who assured the former of 'seriously'. looking into the matter.
The 'total shutdown' of medical services was called by the NRDA starting April 4 in protest against the 'autocratic' and 'dictatorial' attitude of the institute's Director, Dr DM Thappa.
However, a day after the announcement, Meghalaya Health Minister, AL Hek on Thursday appealed to the agitating doctors to call off their agitation.
"I strongly feel that such a shutdown of medical services has the potential to disrupt healthcare and is bound to greatly affect and inconvenience patients. It may even result in loss of valuable lives which is unacceptable, unfortunate and completely avoidable," Hek said.
He informed that the state government is taking cognizance of the serious matter adding that he had taken up the matter with officials of Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, Government of India to resolve the matter.
"Letters have also been sent from my side to the Director of NEIGRIHMS and agitating doctors to resolve all issues and desist from such extreme action which would result in difficulties to patients," said the state health minister.
While assuring that grievances of the resident doctors would be addressed at the earliest, Hek informed that only a few months ago, he had met J.P. Nadda, the Union Health Minister along with Chief Minister of Meghalaya in his office chamber in New Delhi and the Union Minister had assured to take action to resolve the issues prevalent in NEIGRIHMS.
Meanwhile, NRDA president, Dr Synrang Warjri informed that following their meeting with the Health Minister, they have decided to call off the agitation adding that the association will hold a meeting tomorrow to discuss on their further course of action.
