ITANAGAR, 7 May: Health Minister Alo Libang has urged the people of the state to respect doctors and not resort to physical assault to settle any disagreement.
Reacting to the protest launched by the Indian Medical Association’s state branch (IMA-AP) and the Arunachal Pradesh Doctors’ Association (APDA) over the recent assault on doctors of Samaritan Hormin Hospital, Libang said “the concerns raised by the doctors are genuine.”
“Yesterday I met representatives of the IMA and listened to their grievances. I also conveyed to them that this situation is not conducive for protest, considering the present situation in view of the rising cases of Covid-19. But they have assured that emergency service and Covid-19 patients will not be affected,” said Libang.
He also said that he has spoken to police officials of the ICR and they have assured safety and security for the doctors. “Doctors are playing a very important role in the battle against Covid-19. Everyone should extend support to them at this critical juncture,” he added.
The health minister also informed that the state government has recruited 66 new doctors and they are being posted in various parts of the state.
Further, the minister said that the department has identified 17 hospitals across the state which will have oxygen generation plants.
“In eight hospitals, already plants have started to function, and work to set up plants has started in another four hospitals,” said the health minister.
Libang said there are enough Covid-19 testing kits in the state.
