PCMSA demands pay panel arrears, security for doctors at hospitals

Amritsar, August 31

After protests by the medical fraternity against the rape-and-murder of a medico in Kolkata spelt inconvenience for the patients, more problems seem to be in store for them, especially the poor patients at government hospitals as the Punjab Civil Medical Services Association (PCMSA) has announced an indefinite protest from September 9, terming its demand on resumption of assured career progression (ACP) as non-negotiable.

The PCMS Association stated that assured career progression was earlier available to the doctors and an end to it was unjustified. “Unlike many other cadres, the doctors in Health Department do not have many avenues of promotion. It already takes a lifetime for a medical officer to reach the next higher post of senior medical officer,” said a doctor.

The Association has also demanded release of arrears of the Sixth Pay Commission as per its report stating that arrears pertaining to the period from 2016 to 2021 are still unpaid. Earlier this month, during protests over the Kolkata incident, the Health Minister assured to provide the necessary security at all government hospitals by the end of this month.

It being the last day of the month, many among the fraternity stated that this promise remains unfulfilled. Dr Madhur Poddar, general secretary, PCMSA Amritsar, said, “At least seven incidents of violence have been reported since the gruesome murder-and-rape of a junior resident in Kolkata.” He said that demand regarding security at hospitals has not been fulfilled so far.

Dr Poddar said that the government has recently taken a decision to recruit 400 MBBS doctors. “Though we welcome the decision, it is not enough as shortage is much more. It was in 1991 that the government had last reviewed the sanctioned strength of the doctors. In the last 34 years, the number of patients and hospitals has increased,” he said.

The PCMSA leader stated that they have been pushed to the wall by the government as all their demands are justified and there is nothing new in these. “If the government accepts the demands even now, the public can be saved from inconvenience,” he said.