Demands unmet: Govt doctors to resume protest from Jan 20
Patients seeking treatment at government hospitals in Punjab may face significant disruptions as the Punjab Civil Medical Services (PCMS) Association has announced plans to resume protests starting January 20. Medical services are expected to be interrupted during this period.
The PCMSA had previously protested in September 2024, demanding assured career progression for doctors and better workplace security. Dr Madhur Poddar, general secretary of PCMSA-Amritsar, said, “The government had promised to implement assured career progression within 12 weeks, but 16 weeks have passed, and the commitment remains unfulfilled.”
Dr Poddar stated that the decision to resume protests was taken after the state government failed to address long-standing issues in the public healthcare system, despite assurances from both the Chief Minister and the Health Minister.
The association has been demanding the reinstatement of Dynamic Assured Career Progressions (DACP) for medical officers, a policy that has been stalled for years. They are also calling for a dequate security at 24/7 healthcare centres, recruitment of regular medical officers and paramedical staff to tackle shortages.
The PCMSA has warned that the suspension of medical services will have a severe impact on Punjab’s public healthcare system, which is already burdened by a shortage of medical officers and specialists. Despite several meetings and promises, no notifications regarding DACP reinstatement or improved security measures have been issued.
Dr Poddar stressed that the association is left with no choice but to take a firm stand. “We had hoped the government would honour its commitments, but the lack of action has forced us to resume protests,” he said.
The protest is likely to affect outpatient services (OPD) and other critical medical services, exacerbating the challenges faced by patients relying on government hospitals.
