Assam Doctors Launch 3-Day OPD Boycott

The Assam Medical Service Association (AMSA) launched a three-day boycott of all services in the Out Patient Department (OPD) across government hospitals in the state demanding fulfilment of various issues including promotion and security of physicians and other medical staff. This is the last of the four-phase agitation of the AMSA, which started on October 19.

As per a report the state health department has contacted the Assam Medical Service Association (AMSA) and assured it to look into their demands. The state government has held telephonic talks and shall discuss it at an executive body meeting.

"But, as of now, our decision to continue with the OPD boycott stands," AMSA general secretary Dr Kanak Chandra Talukdar said to PTI.

Talukdar said besides publishing a list of 23 doctors who have been given their due promotion, none of the other assurances has been met.

Meanwhile, services in the Emergency ward and In Patient Department were not affected due to the agitation, he claimed.

The AMSA's demands include timely cadre review and promotion, time-scale based promotion, advancing the period for increment of diploma holder doctors, and security of doctors and other medical staff.