Healthcare services across the state would be hit for two consecutive days next year as government doctors have decided to take out rallies on January 15 and 16 in support of their various demands under the banner of Bihar State Health Service Association (BSHSA).

“We have been forced to organise the rallies. We had raised our demands before the state government on several occasions but they were ignored. Our demands include revision of salaries. We want our wages to be at par with the doctors under the Union government. Even the non-practising allowance we get should be at par with those working under the central government,” said Dr Ajay Kumar, the BSHSA general secretary.

He added: “Doctors in Bihar are also devoid of benefits of National Rural Health Mission, as they do not receive allowance for working in villages. Earlier, the state government had agreed to our demands and had made announcements in 1988, 1998 and 2008. But nothing happened. We have no other option but to organise a rally. This will let people know how the state government has denied doctors in the state of their legitimate rights.”

BSHSA spokesperson Dr Ranjit Kumar said: “Problems are plenty. The state government has not regularised the services of many contractual doctors. Many other states are way ahead in this regard.”