SHILLONG, JUNE 28: Chief Minister Conrad K Sangma on Tuesday invited the Meghalaya Medical Services Association (MMSA) for talks and assured to resolve the issue raised by them at the earliest.

This came after the MMSA had on Monday announced a 24-hour cease work as a mark of protest against the state government’s inaction against the Indian Institute of Public Health (IIPH) authority.

MMSA president Dr YA Phira said the association appreciates the kind and good gesture of the Chief Minister and for the cordial, understanding and positive discussion on the matter relating to the agitation called by the MMSA.

“We would like to place on record that the association on receiving the message on June 27 night for discussion with the Chief Minister had immediately decided to suspend the agitational programme following the meeting with the secretary in-charge Heath and Family Welfare,” he said.

“The association is very confident that the grievances will be resolved at the earliest and that uninterrupted smooth delivery of medical services to the public will continue,” Dr Phira added.

On Monday, the Chief Minister assured to immediately call the MMSA for talks.

“We will talk to them (MMSA) and we will resolve the matter in the larger interest of public service,” CM Conrad Sangma had told reporters.

The chief minister had said he is aware of the issue and had also spoken to the Health Minister James K Sangma about it. “It is an important issue because public services are involved in it and we will resolve the matter,” he assured.

Doctors under the banner of the MMSA had earlier decided to go for a 24-hour cease work on Tuesday after the government has failed to heed their demands for setting up an inquiry and take appropriate action against the Registrar and Director of Indian Institute of Public Health (IIPH) for falsely portraying the Director of Health Services (MI) Dr Aman War in poor light in the media.