Haryana govt doctors’ indefinite strike leaves patients suffering

On the call of the Haryana Civil Medical Services Association (HCMSA), government doctors across Haryana intensified their protest on Wednesday, launching an indefinite strike after the state government’s refusal to implement the modified Assured Career Progression (ACP) scheme. However, the doctors said the demand to stop direct recruitment of Senior Medical Officers (SMOs) had been accepted in a previous meeting, but neither that nor the ACP assurance was implemented despite commitments made last year.

Earlier, the association had launched a two-day strike on Monday, disrupting health services across the state. To contain the fallout, the Health Department has pressed doctors from medical colleges, the NHM, the Ayush Department, retired doctors, community health officers (CHOs), dental surgeons and Ayushman Bharat-empanelled private hospitals. With extended duty hours, they managed to keep OPDs, emergency services and post-mortems running.

However, services related to ultrasound, CT scan reporting and surgeries have been hit severely.

Amid the escalating standoff, the Haryana Government invoked the Haryana Essential Services Maintenance Act (HESMA), 1974. Notices have also been issued to probationary doctors participating in the strike, directing them to explain their absence within two days and return to duty immediately.

At the Karnal District Civil Hospital, essential diagnostic services have come to a halt. Ultrasound and CT scan reporting are unavailable, forcing patients to either postpone treatment or visit private diagnostic centres. Only X-ray services continue.

Attendants said doctors prescribe investigations, but treatment cannot proceed without test results. Pregnant women are also facing serious difficulties.

“The ultrasound is not being done, so the doctor is unable to examine the pregnant woman. They are asking us to get the ultrasound done first, but the facility is not available,” said an expectant mother outside the hospital.

With doctors announcing that the strike will continue until all demands are met, patients remain forced to bear the consequences.

“We have been forced to take the call of an indefinite strike as our genuine demands have not been accepted,” said Dr Sanjay Verma, district HCMSA president.

However, Karnal Civil Surgeon Dr Poonam Chaudhary claimed all services were “running smoothly” and that alternative arrangements had been made.