IMA and JHSA oppose biometric system for doctors and paramedical staff members in Jharkhand

Ranchi (Jharkhand) [India], August 11 : The Indian Medical Association (IMA) and Jharkhand Health Services Association (JHSA) on Sunday held a joint meeting to protest the biometric attendance system introduced by the state government for doctors and paramedical staff.
The associations have decided to boycott the biometric system from August 20, demanding a more practical approach. Key demands include - Appraisal for doctors, relaxation of biometric rules for paramedical staff and doctors, increased hospital beds and staff in smaller hospitals and stronger laws to protect doctors from violence.
Both associations cited complexities and potential issues with the system, including - Four WhatsApp messages and wage cuts for non-compliance, inapplicability due to varying duty hours and technical difficulties in areas with poor internet connectivity.
"We are not against the biometric decision, but it needs to be made practical for the paramedics and doctors. When the hospitals do not have enough staff, then it is difficult to follow the biometrics. We want the PM and ministers to work on the appraisal for the doctors. There have been so many cases where doctors go to work but forget to punch due to the work pressure," said Dr Pradeep Singh, Secretary of IMA.
He further added in areas like Jharkhand, the shortcomings of clinical establishments should be understood and demanded that atleast 50 beds should be there in the smaller hospitals to make sure that everyone is treated well.
"In areas like Jharkhand, the concept of clinical establishments should be understood and taken seriously to make sure that their dream of making sure everyone is taken care of is achieved. At least 50 beds should be placed in the smaller hospitals," said Dr Pradeep Singh.
Dr Mrityunjay, JHSA Secretary said that an emergency meeting was called regarding a lot of complexities in the introduced portal.
"We called an emergency meeting for the portal introduced by the state government for the doctors and paramedical staff members. The portal had a lot of complexities. As per the portal, the doctors and the paramedical members who will be doing the duty will receive four messages on their WhatsApp if they do not punch in. Their wages will be cut down and the doctors will face a lot of issues because of the portal. Considering this, we called a meeting and have discussed the decision carefully along with the Bihar biometric system decision also," he said.
He also raised the issue of wage cuts for the doctors and the paramedical members in Sahibganj, Palamu and Garhwa.
Further, he added "The wages of the doctors and the paramedical members have been cut down in Sahibganj, Palamu and Garhwa because of the biometric system. We have come up with the decision that on August 20 we will protest against the biometric system. We are not against the decision but the rules implied are wrong."
He further said that the clauses in the decision of the biometrics mentioned that the decision would apply to workers in all departments but was only being applied to the paramedical workers and doctors.
"The clauses in the decision have mentioned that these rules apply to workers in all departments but it is still being applied only to the paramedical workers and the doctors. Our PM is aware that the biometric system is difficult in areas that do not have internet, then our question is how is this being followed. Our demands are not being met hence our decision to protest. We are trying to talk to the PM regarding the decision before we start the protest," he further added.
Additionally, the members of the IMA and Jharkhand Medical Association also condemned the death and sexual assault of a female post-graduate trainee doctor in Kolkata. The post-graduate trainee doctor was found raped and murdered at RG Kar Medical College and Hospital on August 9.
Pradeep Singh said "The Jharkhand government is with the family of the doctor. We will make sure justice is served. This is a very sad incident which has taken place. The government should take this incident seriously, and wonder why there are no laws on this. Doctors of the country will not feel safe until there are proper laws and measures taken."