Patna, April 3: Illegal practice is not the only challenge staring in the face of medical professionals in the state.

Speaking at a discussion on the “Challenges of health sector in the state”, principal secretary (health) Amarjeet Sinha said salary to all government doctors, whether regular or on contractual basis, would be paid on the first of every month. The discussion was organised by Bihar Health Services Association (BHSA).

Sinha warned of action against the chief medical officer of the district concerned if they fail to furnish a valid reason for the delay. Over 4,000 doctors, including dentists in government services and Ayush doctors, attended the meeting. The doctors raised a number of demands at the meeting, which was also attended by state health minister Ashwini Kumar Choubey. Sinha also promised that salary of dentists on contract would be increased from Rs 15,000 to Rs 30,000 per month and the Ayush doctors’ salary structure would be re-examined before making new appointments.

The BHSA members strongly demanded the empowerment of the health directorate, increase in health budget, more managerial powers to doctors and better policies for specialist and super specialist doctors, non-practising allowances for doctors among others.

“There are around 3,000 doctors in the state against the requirement of 10,000-12,000. The pat on the back that the state government is getting for improvement in the health sector is because of the present doctors as there has been negligible change in terms of health infrastructure and resources. However, the government is not serious about our concerns and interests. Through the meeting, we want to make our voices heard,” said Dr Ajay Kumar, convener, BHSA.

“We have several demands like introduction of dynamic Assured Career Promotion (ACP) through sixth Pay Commission, regularisation of contractual doctors, appointment of new doctors, appointment of doctors on higher administrative posts, transparent and practical postings, payment of rural service allowances, lesser bureaucratic control over doctors etc,” Dr Kanti Mohan, BHSA president, said.

“There are several doctors who have not got their salaries for over six months. Situation is worse in case of contractual doctors who have not been paid for the past year or more. Also the increased bureaucratic control in the health sector means more and more doctors are being harassed without reason,” said Dr Kumar Arun.