The Provincial Medical and UP Community Health Service Association is set to meet Deputy Chief Minister Brajesh Pathak and Minister of State (Independent Charge) for Ayush, Dayashankar Mishra ‘Dayalu’, to submit a memorandum highlighting long-pending issues faced by Community Health Medical Officers (MOCH).

Association president Dr Ravi Bharti said that MOCHs are appointed at Community Health Centres (CHCs) and retire from the same post due to the absence of a promotion policy. He attributed this situation to a lack of coordination between the Ayush and Health departments, which has resulted in unresolved service-related issues for years.

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Dr Bharti explained that in 1990, Ayurvedic and Unani practitioners were appointed at CHCs to address the shortage of MBBS doctors. However, being practitioners of Ayurveda and Unani, they do not fall under the promotion structure of the Health Department. 

On the other hand, the Ayush Department maintains that since their salaries are paid by the Health Department, matters related to promotion and service conditions should be handled by that department.

According to the association, around 1,678 Ayurvedic and Unani medical officers are currently appointed under the Ayush Department. Many of them hold postgraduate qualifications in specialities such as surgery, medicine, and obstetrics. Despite their expertise, their skills are not being fully utilised due to administrative confusion between the two departments.

Dr Bharti said that the matter has already been brought to the attention of Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath through a written representation. The association now plans to raise the issue of MOCHs in the Legislative Assembly as well.

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Community Health Medical Officers play a vital role in delivering primary healthcare services, particularly in rural and remote areas. Their responsibilities include providing basic medical care, diagnosing illnesses, promoting preventive healthcare, supervising health workers, and implementing government health programmes. As leaders of primary care teams at Health and Wellness Centres, they also coordinate referrals to specialist services, contributing significantly to strengthening healthcare delivery at the grassroots level.