Patients suffer as Panchkula doctors strike work

Ravneet Singh

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Panchkula, July 25

Strike by government doctors and nurses crippled health services in the district today. Patients visiting government hospitals were turned back without treatment.

The doctors associated with the Haryana Civil Medical Services Association (HCMSA) held a statewide protest to press for a reduction in-service PG course bond to Rs 50 lakh and assured career progression (ACP) allowance at definite intervals among others. They have suspended all works indefinitely.

The nurses held a two-hour protest demanding Rs 7,200 allowance per month as well as recognition as group-B employees.

Being a secondary-level hospital, the Sector 6 government facility receives patients from the city as well as other parts of the district. Patients, who had come from Rattewali and Barwala, were turned back without treatment.

Seema, a patient, who had come from Rattewali, said, “The doctors are on strike. There is no one to examine patients. We will have to again come for the check-up another day or visit a private hospital.”

The members the nursing association wore black badges for two-hours each on Tuesday and Wednesday as a symbolic protest. Today, they suspended all services. A few nurses attended to patients in Emergency Ward.

Patients said staff at the OPD helpdesk denied them visitor cards due to the strike.

Sunehlata, a resident of Dhanana village, said she had come for a check-up. “The staff at the OPD desk refused to issue her a visitor card.”

Nurses resumed work in the afternoon after which patients visiting Emergency Ward were given immediate treatment.

Vineeta Bangar, president, Haryana Nursing Welfare Association, said they held a two-hour protest to press for Rs 7,200 nursing allowance per month and recognition as group-B employees.

Chief Medical Officer (CMO) Mukta Kumar said contractual doctors and consultants of the National Health Mission besides postgraduate medical students were deputed to manage health care services. The consultants looked after the Emergency Ward, gynaecology wing, operation theatre and other places.

Several doctors remained on duty, she claimed.

Dr Mandeep of Panchkula, speaking on behalf of the association, said they wanted the state government to reduce the in-service PG course surety bond to Rs 50 lakh instead of Rs 1 crore. “The state should provide assured career progression (ACP) allowance and benefits in the 4th, 9th, 13th and 20th year of service. We want changes in service rules to make sure that SMO seats are filled from amongst medical officers only, not through direct hiring from outside.”

The doctors also want the government to hire specialist doctors such as gynaecologists, physicians, radiologists, and others.

He said more than 3,000 doctors had gone on indefinite strike in the state. The doctors also held a meeting with the Director General (DG), Health.

Their demands

• Reduction in amount of in-service PG course surety bond to Rs 50 lakh from Rs 1 cr
• Assured career progression allowance and benefits in the 4th, 9th, 13th and 20th year of service
• Posts of SMO be filled from amongst medical officers only, not through direct hiring
• Hire specialist doctors

Nurses hold two-hour protest

Vineeta Bangar, president, Haryana Nursing Welfare Association, said they held a two-hour protest to press for Rs 7,200 nursing allowance per month and recognition of the staff as group-B employees.