Govt to take stern action against 'disobedient' doctors: Apang

Itanagar, Mar 23 (UNI) The Arunachal Pradesh government today warned the doctors of stern action including termination of services if they tried to jeopardise the health care system. Intervening in a call attention motion by NCP legislator Wangham on non-availability of doctors in many rural areas, Chief Minister Gegong Apang directed Health and Family Welfare Minister C.C.Singpho to terminate those doctors who refused to abide by the transfer orders.

Raising the motion, Mr Wangham expressed concern over the non-availability of doctors, medicines and para-medical staff in Community Health Centre (CHC) located at backward Longding sub-division of Tirap district, which served 66,000 people.

The Chief Minister assured the house that he would look into the problem and said that essential medicines should be made available in all health centres and any one supplying spurious medicines should be punished.

On private practices by doctors, Mr Apang said the government might consider a hike in their salaries but would not allow private practice while paying non-practicsing allowance.

''Doctors may quit their jobs and carry on private practice. No request from the ministers and MLAs would henceforth be entertained for or against posting and transfer of doctors,'' he said.

The department may seek support from the Judiciary to allow transfer and posting instead of issuing stay orders at the request of doctors or any other employees, Mr Apang added.

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