Docs to continue protest

The outpatient department (OPD) services remained suspended for the first half of the day at all public health centres, which included all community health centres, subdivisional hospitals and district hospitals, for the third day in a row. Patients visiting these establishments faced a lot of inconvenience as the OPD services were not available for three hours.

Meanwhile, in a meeting held today with the Cabinet sub-committee and Minister Dr Balbir Singh, the Punjab Civil Medical Services Association (PCMSA) forcefully asserted its demands while terming demands on security and ACPs as non-negotiable. Though the meeting was positive and the minister agreed to accept their demands, the association said as nothing in writing was given by the government so far, they would continue the strike. In fact from Thursday, the outpatient department (OPD) services, which remain suspended for the first half of the day for the past three days, would now be fully suspended.