Haryana: Health services hit as doctors go on strike

Chandigarh, July 25

Under the banner of the Haryana Civil Medical Services Association (HCMSA), the government doctors started an indefinite strike today, shutting down OPD, post-mortem, and even emergency services.

Long queues could be seen in OPDs with patients complaining of delays and that they were being examined by interns. The strike resulted in delay in carrying out post-mortem examinations and deliveries. Some patients went home without being examined at some places. To ease the burden, doctors from National Health Mission attended patients.

The Association held talks with Chief Principal Secretary to CM Rajesh Khullar and then with ACS Health Sudhir Raj Pal but no solution could be found out.

“Only one of our demands related to reduction in the bond amount for postgraduation has been adhered to. Currently, a doctor must provide two sureties of Rs 1 crore each as part of the bond. It has been reduced to Rs 50 lakh,” said Dr Rajesh Khyalia, president, HCMSA.

The doctors’ association pointed out that of the 3,900 posts of Medical Officer (MO), 1,100 are lying vacant (over 28 per cent). Out of 636 posts of Senior Medical Officer (SMO), 250 are vacant (close to 40 per cent), and out of eight posts of Director, five are lying vacant. Despite approval from the CM, the proposal for a specialist cadre has been stuck.

“It has been agreed that direct recruitment of SMOs will not be carried out. The bone of contention is the Assured Career Progression. We have been demanding ACP at 4,9 and 13 years of service while currently it is given at 5,10 and 15 years,” clarified Dr Khyalia. “We have decided to continue strike on Friday as well,” he added. The Association said they had observed black day on July 1 (Doctors’ Day) and A two-hour pen-down strike was also observed on July 15.