Indefinite doctors’ strike hits Civil Hospitals across state

Government doctors in Haryana, under the Haryana Civil Medical Services (HCMS) Association, continued their strike for a third day on Wednesday, moving to an indefinite protest, officials said. Authorities, however, claimed all major emergency services, including postmortem examinations and caesarean operations, were running smoothly.

In Panipat, some specialist doctors resumed duties on Wednesday after the government invoked the Essential Services Maintenance Act (ESMA) due to the indefinite strike.

Doctors had initially planned a two-day strike starting Monday, but the HCMS Association decided on an indefinite protest from Tuesday. Patient turnout in government hospitals was slightly lower than usual, with Panipat Civil Hospital recording around 1,500 patients on Wednesday, compared with 1,600-1,800 on normal days. In Sonepat, OPD visits dropped from an average of 1,800 to around 1,500.

The strike caused inconvenience for patients, particularly women, who were forced to approach private hospitals for services such as ultrasounds. Authorities, however, attributed the reduced patient numbers to seasonal weather variations.

Dr Rinku Sangwan, district president of HCMS Association Panipat, said that although some specialist doctors returned to work on Wednesday, the strike remained in force. “All doctors stand united with the association’s decision. The strike will not be called off until our demands are met,” Dr Sangwan said.

A similar situation prevailed in Sonepat, where 134 doctors, including specialists, remained on strike. Dr Jyotsana, Civil Surgeon, Sonepat, said emergency services were maintained through alternate arrangements, including doctors from DR BPS Medical College for Women, NHM, Ayush, private hospitals empanelled under the Ayushman scheme, and ESI facilities. Postmortem and caesarean procedures continued without disruption. All striking doctors were

marked absent.

Dr Vijay Malik, Civil Surgeon, Panipat, echoed that the strike had no major impact on patient services. He said additional doctors were deployed from private medical colleges, Ayush, ESI and empanelled private hospitals. Some specialist doctors who had struck on Monday and Tuesday returned on Wednesday. “Patient services remained smooth, and the slight variation in numbers is due to seasonal weather,” he added.

Rewari/Mahendragarh: Healthcare services in Rewari and Mahendragarh districts remained disrupted on the third day of an indefinite strike by Haryana Civil Medical Services (HCMS) doctors, despite the state government imposing the Essential Services Maintenance Act (ESMA).

Probationary doctors have also joined the strike following the call of the HCMS Association. “We have written to 11 probationary doctors, asking them to join duties at the earliest,” said Rewari Civil Surgeon Dr Narender Dahiya, adding that efforts were underway to maintain healthcare services, including restarting the ultrasound facility at the local Civil Hospital.

The HCMS Association said participation in the strike is rising. “Nearly 120 of the 148 HCMS doctors in Mahendragarh have joined the strike, and numbers are expected to increase,” said Dr Vivek Sharma, district unit president. He added that striking doctors consider it their right and are prepared for legal action or mass resignation if probationary staff are threatened with termination.

The strike has affected surgeries, emergency services, and medico-legal facilities. Patient visits to government hospitals and health centres have dropped sharply. Medical college doctors and postgraduate students have been deployed to provide services, but patients continue to face difficulties.

Sirsa: The Haryana Civil Medical Services Association (HCMESA) continued its strike for the third consecutive day, disrupting health services across the district. Following the government’s ESMA order, the Sarv Karamchari Sangh extended support to the doctors, opposing the directive.

Civil Surgeon Dr Pramod Kumar inspected the district hospital on Wednesday and said alternative arrangements were helping maintain essential services, with around 800 patients visiting the OPD. Of 140 doctors in the district, 121 remained on strike, two were on leave, and 15 continued working. Nine doctors from Agroha Medical College, 20 from NHM, one from ESI, four consultants, and two returning doctors were deployed to manage OPD services.

Gynaecology and post-mortem services resumed after some doctors returned, but caesarean deliveries remain uncertain. Ultrasound facilities have been closed for three days, forcing patients to spend Rs 600–700 at private clinics. At the trauma centre, routine cases were handled locally, while serious patients were referred elsewhere. MLR services were also suspended.

IMA district president Dr Sourav Walia expressed full support for the strike. HCMESA district president Dr R.K. Dahiya confirmed that only two doctors returned for personal reasons, with the rest continuing the protest. Disability board services were also disrupted, leaving patients unable to obtain certificates.