CHHATTISGARHíS expanding medical infrastructure must now be matched by a long-term strategy to retain highly trained specialists and strengthen advanced treatment facilities within the State, Junior Doctorsí Association (JDA), Chhattisgarh Secretary Dr Amit Banjara told The Hitavada. Presenting the healthcare rationale underlying the associationís proposals, Dr Banjara said the next phase of medical development should focus on creating professional pathways capable of attracting DM and MCh specialists to government institutions. Dr Banjara said a dedicated superspeciality service structure could strengthen tertiary healthcare while enabling more patients to obtain advanced treatment within Chhattisgarh instead of travelling outside the State. The requirement assumes greater significance, JDA maintained, as screening through Ayushman Arogya Mandirs identifies non-communicable diseases, cancers and other illnesses requiring progressively specialised intervention.

 

Diagnostic expansion, it argued, must therefore be complemented by treatment centres and adequately trained human resources. The JDA Secretary also drew attention to the declining real value of postgraduate remuneration. JDA estimates cumulative inflation between 2020 and 2025 at around 30 per cent. On that basis, it calculated that the present Rs 67,500 monthly stipend has purchasing power equivalent to approximately Rs 51,900 at 2020 prices. The association maintained that remuneration should consequently undergo periodic review against workload, professional responsibility and living costs. “Investing in doctors is an investment in accessible, sustainable and advanced healthcare for the people of Chhattisgarh,” he asserted.