Karnal: Doctors’ strike enters second day, alternative arrangements manage patient load

The strike by government doctors entered its second day on Tuesday, but healthcare services across the district continued largely unaffected due to alternative arrangements put in place by the health authorities.

Despite fears of widespread disruption, OPD, emergency, and essential services remained operational, supported by the deployment of doctors from Kalpana Chawla Government Medical College (KCGMC), retired doctors, NHM doctors, dental surgeons, doctors from Ayush department. However, long queues of patients can be seen outside OPDs.

Hospitals reported steady patient flow, with minor delays as substitute doctors managed the increased workload. Civil Surgeon, Karnal, Dr Poonam Chaudhary claimed that these measures ensured that public health services remained stable and uninterrupted during the strike.

However, striking doctors dismissed the administration’s arrangements as “an eyewash”.

“Alternative arrangements are just an eyewash,” said Dr Sanjay Verma, district president of the Haryana Civil Medical Services Association (HCMSA).

He said that their both key issues –stoppage of direct recruitment of Senior Medical Officers (SMOs) and implementation of the Modified Assured Career Progression (ACP) structure had remained pending for 16 months despite repeated representations. “The government had approved these demands last year, but no notification was issued. Even during recent meetings, the minister acknowledged our concerns but did not offer any firm assurance on resolving them,” Dr Verma said.

He said that the association will take a call about the indefinite strike today.