Imphal, May 26: With the cease work strike launched by medical officers beginning to take its toll, Health and Family Welfare Minister DK Korungthang has appealed to the medicos to call off their agitation in the interest of all.

Responding to a call attention motion raised by Dr Nimaichand Luwang and L Ibomcha on the cease work strike launched by the JAC of AMGEO and AMTUC and Health officers, the Minister said that the cease work strike launched by the Health officers has greatly inconvenienced the public and appealed to them to call off their stir.

Moving the motion, Dr Luwang said that following the case work strike launched by the Health officers, the public are facing immense hardship.

The suffering of the people is also compounded by the closure of pharmacies and patients are not able to buy life saving drugs.

Dr Luwang observed that it would be better if the Government releases the non-practising allowance of the Health officers and added that this will go a long way in curbing private practice by doctors.

MLA L Ibomcha also chipped in and said that it would be better for the Government to release the non-practising allowance and also to implement the earlier assurances given to the JAC of AMGEO and AMTUC.

Answering to the questions raised, the Health Minister said that the Government is keen to shell out 5 percent of the non-practising allowance but the Government is unable to do this due to the poor financial conditions.

CM in charge, Th Debendra said that due to the cease work strike by the Health officers, polio drops could not be administered to the children.

He appealed to the striking medicos to stop their agitation in the interest of the children.

If the doctors are to be given their non-practising allowance then the same should be given to Veterinarians and this would mean additional expenditure of Rs 2 crores every month, said Th Debendra.

The Govt is not in a position currently to release the non-practising allowance due to the poor financial condition, he added.

The Govt is studying the demand of the JAC to entitle them the DA paid by the Centre as well to raise the retirement age to 60 years, added Debendra.

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