Suranand to hear out RDS grievances

Suranand to hear out RDS grievances

Ministry warns doctors over PM's house protest

Prime Minister's secretary-general Suranand Vejjajiva will hold a discussion with representatives of the Rural Doctors Society (RDS) Thursday, a week before the group's planned mass rally in front of the premier's house.

FLASHBACK: About 500 members of the Rural Doctors Society and partner organisations gathered at the Public Health Ministry on April 24 to demand the resignation of Public Health Minister Pradit Sinthawanarong over his decision to replace part of their hardship allowance with the controversial pay-for-performance (P4P) scheme. (File photo by Surapol Promsaka na Sakoknakorn)

Society president Kriangsak Watcharanukulkiat said Mr Suranand called a lunch meeting to allow the group to relay their concerns to Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra.

The RDS's demands had not been passed on to the prime minister until now, Dr Kriangsak said.

The group is not agitating by staging the rally on June 6, but simply wants the prime minister to hear their concerns, he said.

"The meeting with Mr Suranand is a positive sign," he said.

The society announced its plan to rally in front of the prime minister's residence in Soi Yothin Pattana on Ram Intra-At Narong Road in Lat Phrao next Thursday to express dissatisfaction with Public Health Minister Pradit Sinthawanarong.

The resentment against the minister was sparked by the ministry's pay-for-performance scheme, which was launched on April 1 to partially replace the hardship allowances provided to rural doctors.

The labour union of the Government Pharmaceutical Organisation, the People's Health System Movement and a network of people living with HIV/Aids, cancer and kidney failure have announced they will join the rally.

The group of people living with kidney failure said they would arrange for haemodialysis therapy for their members at the gathering. The society also plans to arrange a mobile clinic at the rally site providing free medical services to protesters and passers-by.

The Public Health Ministry yesterday warned the doctors they risk violating civil service regulations and endangering the health of patients who may join them at the rally.

The warning, made by public health permanent secretary Narong Sahamethapat, came as the RDS claimed yesterday that attempts are being made to prevent upcountry doctors from joining the protest.

Dr Narong said he was concerned the protest would not benefit society, protesters and patients.

The rally, which will be staged outdoors, will endanger people with health problems, he said.

He said he was concerned the image of medical professionals would be tarnished by the protesters.

As rural doctors are civil servants, Dr Narong said inappropriate activities during the protest might violate regulations governing civil servants.

He cited the plan to operate a mobile clinic as an example of an activity that might violate regulations. The mobile clinic must be approved by the Health Service Support Department according to the Sanatorium Act, he said.

Rural doctors in Region 7 _ covering the upper part of the Northeast including Khon Kaen _ have received a letter from the ministry's inspector-general ordering medical staff in the region not to take leave between next Wednesday and Thursday.

The letter says leave would be permitted only for real emergencies. It forbids public health staff from persuading local health volunteers in Region 7 to go to Bangkok at that time.

"This order violates people's rights to attend a peaceful gathering," Dr Kriangsak said.

He said he would petition the Khon Kaen Administrative Court to protect his right to take leave to join the protest.

The society said police have assured them they will arrange a space next to the prime minister's house for the protest. Police want to avoid traffic congestion in the area.

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