BHUBANESWAR: The State Government has assured the Odisha Medical Service Association (OMSA) that its demand for dynamic assured career progression (DACP) is under its active consideration.
With OMSA giving a call to launch an agitation from October 2 over non-implementation of DACP by the State Government, Health and Family Welfare Secretary Arati Ahuja held a meeting with OMSA representatives here recently to find a solution to the problem.
The Health Secretary is reported to have told OMSA that the department has put up the DACP file before the Ministerial Committee for consideration.
On OMSA’s proposal for restructuring of Odisha Medical Service (OMS) cadre, Ahuja said the Ministerial Committee will discuss the issue with the association before taking a decision.
“The Health Secretary has also told us that doctor’s recruitment through Odisha Public Service Commission (OPSC) will be made every year and notification for regularisation of ad-hoc doctors will be made shortly,” OMSA president Dr Nirakar Bhatta said.
A committee will be formed to finalise the duty hours of doctors and matters relating to formulation of a transparent transfer policy and short-term training in paediatrics and pathology will be started shortly to enhance the knowledge of doctors, Dr Bhatta said.
Although nine years have already passed, the State Government has failed to implement DACP. Doctors entering into Government service are leaving their job due to their stagnation in a particular post without any promotion, Bhatta said.
He said OMSA has assured the State Government that the problem of scarcity of doctors and delivery of proper healthcare will be solved once DACP is implemented in the State.
The DACP, which assures time-bound career progression for doctors, has so far eluded medical personnel in the peripheral cadre. Recommended by the Sixth Pay Commission, the DACP has been implemented by 13 States. The DACP entails promotion for doctors after four years, 13 years and 20 years of service.