The Bihar Health Services Association (BHSA) held a general body meeting and protest march on Sunday, starting from the IMA Hall to the J P Roundabout in Patna. The demonstration demanded immediate government intervention on issues including workplace safety, delayed promotions, and administrative problems affecting doctors across the state.
Key Demands Raised by BHSA
Representatives from various districts participated in the meeting, where the association unanimously passed a resolution highlighting growing professional discontent and security concerns among medical practitioners. BHSA general secretary Dr Rohit Kumar stated that around 1,000 doctors attended the event. "We will place our demands before Chief Minister Samrat Choudhary, Health Minister Nishant Kumar, and Chief Secretary Pratyaya Amrit on Monday and seek an early meeting with them," he said.
Opposition to Private Practice Ban
The association strongly opposed the government's proposed blanket ban on private practice by government doctors. It argued that any such decision should only be made after consulting stakeholders. Instead, BHSA proposed an optional Non-Practising Allowance (NPA) model, under which doctors could either receive NPA at par with central standards or continue regulated private practice. Doctors warned that a forced ban amid acute manpower shortages, poor infrastructure, and low salaries could trigger mass resignations and severely impact rural healthcare services.
Workplace Safety and Legal Reforms
On safety issues, the association demanded stricter provisions in the state's healthcare protection law, including a minimum 10-year jail term for attacks on doctors and vandalism in hospitals. It also sought armed security guards, time-bound legal action in assault cases, and better housing facilities for doctors.
Other Grievances
The BHSA further opposed the promotion of non-MBBS cadres to senior administrative posts and demanded that such positions remain reserved for medical professionals. It also sought immediate notification of pending promotions and Dynamic Assured Career Progression (DACP) benefits, reservation in postgraduate seats for in-service doctors, rural allowances, and cashless health cards of up to Rs 50 lakh for serving and retired doctors.
