AYUSH doctors strike in Bhopal

Medical service in ayurveda, yoga, unani, sidda and homoeopathy hospitals were partially affected on the first day of statewide strike of alternative medicine practitioners on Wednesday.

 Claiming widespread support, AYUSH doctors association state president Dr Ajay Awasti said, "For long, Ayush doctors which include ayurveda, yoga, unani, sidda and homoeopathic practitioners have been overlooked. We would continue with the strike until the state government concedes our demands"

 The protesting Ayush doctors are demanding direct recruitment for vacant posts of Ayush medical officers, better pay and recruitment of Ayush doctors in places where allopathic doctors refuse to work. "There are almost 1,070 vacant posts of Ayush in state government. Excluding some 600 vacant posts of National Rural Health Mission (NRHM) which need to be filled," he added.

Estimates suggest out of some 24,000 Ayush doctors in the state with barely 10% employed in government sector with some 40% unemployed. Ayush practitioners are also demanding introduction of MD courses in all government-run Ayush medical colleges. Currently, only 3 colleges in the state have a MD programme.

source:http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/bhopal/AYUSH-docs-on-statewide-strike-for-better-deal/articleshow/16274935.cms