PCMSA protest enters third day, holds meet with Finance Minister

The protest by the doctors at government hospitals entered the third day here on Wednesday. The Punjab Civil Medical Services Association (PCMSA) held a meeting with the Finance Minister and senior officials to discuss their demands.

The PCMSA stated that the meeting was held in a positive manner and the government has in principle accepted their demands regarding assured career progression and safety of medical professionals at the workplace.

The doctors’ body stated that the government has assured them of issuing a letter in this regard today itself. The PCMSA had earlier announced to extend the duration of OPD boycott from September 12. Association members stated that they would wait for the letter and continue to remain adamant on their decision to extend OPD boycott from three hours to full day if the government did not fulfil its promise.

“We would call off the protest as soon as government fulfils its promise. Failing to do so would mean that we would intensify our protest,” said a PCMSA official.

Meanwhile, the district administration constituted a district-level committee to check violence against medical professionals in hospitals. It also asked the hospitals to ensure CCTV surveillance and help desks for women employees.