24-hr shutdown of medical services

August 26, 2020 30 Views No Comment

MEDICAL EMERGENCIES EXEMPTED; PHARMACIES SHUT FROM 6 A.M. TO 6 P.M.

DIMAPUR, AUG 25 (NPN): Nagaland In-service Doctors’ Association (NIDA) has called for a 24-hour total shutdown of all medical services from 6 a.m. of August 26 till 6 a.m. of August 27, throughout the state. However, medical emergency services will be functional.

Speaking to Nagaland Post over phone, NIDA president Dr. Ritu Thurr said that the shutdown has been called to show solidarity and in protest against the “repeated assault on health providers by erring police personnel”, the latest being the alleged assault on Dr. Atoka Wotsa on August 21. Thurr said that this was the third such incident against medical personnel.

Meanwhile, it was learnt that the IRB personnel had also filed an FIR against Dr. Atoka Wotsa at West Police station.

It may be recalled that the state government had overturned the one-man inquiry set up by the DC Dimapur on August 22 when it constituted another 3-member inquiry committee to probe into the August 21 incident. The committee has been directed to submit its report within seven days of the date of issue of this notification (August 23, 2020).

Associations back NIDA: Members of the medical fraternity including Nagaland Private Doctors Association (NPDA), Nagaland Medicine Dealers Association (NMDA), Nagaland Pharmacists’ Association (NPA), National Health Mission Employees Association (NEAN), Nagaland Ayush Doctors’ Association (NADA) and Drugs Control Officers Association of Nagaland (DCOAN) have extended support to NIDA’s call for shutting down all medical services in the state except emergency services on August 26.

NPDA: NPDA through its president informed that the association has extended “full support and cooperation” to NIDA’s decision to close down all the healthcare services in the state for 24 hours starting 6am of August 26.

NMDA: NDMA through its general secretary (org) Basu Damani said that the association at an emergency meeting resolved to close all the medical shops on August 26, 29020 from 6 a.m. to 6 p.m. It has therefore requested all medical retail/wholesale shops to remain closed.

NMDA, however, said that for meeting emergency medical services, one shop each in different localities would be kept open.

NPA: NPA through its president Rokokieno Linyu and general secretary Thungchio Y Enny informed all the members to strictly observe 24-hour shutdown to show solidarity with the medical fraternity.

NADA: Ayush doctors also affirmed to stand with NIDA and suspend all AYUSH services in the state on August 26.

NEAN: Announcing its decision to participate in the call for complete shutdown of medical services, NEAN requested all its members to co-operate and observe the total shut down.

DCOAN: Drugs Control Officers Association of Nagaland through its president Tiatoshi Amer and secretary S Lithungo Lotha said the members of the association stood in solidarity with NIDA and would give their full cooperation.

NCD appeals NIDA: Expressing solidarity with NIDA and the assault victim Dr. Atoka Wotsa, Naga Council Dimapur (NCD) has appealed to NIDA to perform their duty as usual till the three-member independent committee delivered the issue for the interest of public in general and ensure that expeditious justice is meted out to them as per the law.

Condemning the recent assault incident, NCD through its vice president Etsungmomo Kikon and general secretary Thsapongkyu Sangtam requested the responsible authority to initiate impartial investigation and take exemplary action against those responsible.

NCD said it denounced any form of violence against doctors and healthcare workers especially during these testing times.

Source: http://www.nagalandpost.com/24-hr-shutdown-of-medical-services/220992.html