Relief for patients as docs call off strike

Finally, patients heaved a sigh of relief as doctors started the outpatient department (OPD) services for three hours, from 11 pm to 2 pm, on Saturday. Later this evening, the Punjab Civil Medical Services Association (PCMSA) decided to call off the strike after the government decided to accept doctors’ demands. The latter announced to extend OPD timings by two hours to compensate the loss and these will function from 8 am to 4 pm on Monday and Tuesday.

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OPD timings extended by 2 hrs for Mon, Tue

Doctors have announced to extend OPD timings by two hours to compensate the loss of patients and these will function from 8 am to 4 pm on Monday and Tuesday.

“The government has announced that all demands of the PCMSA have been accepted unconditionally. Security framework at all 24x7 healthcare centres of the state will be announced within one week and 400 posts of medical officer will be filled by next month. The ACP scheme will be unconditionally reinstated and implemented within the next 12 weeks,” said Dr Akhil Sareen, president of the association.

“Also, OPD timings will be extended by two hours on the first two days of the next week to cater to patients inconvenienced during the suspension of the services,” Dr Sareen said.

Meanwhile, government hospital OPDs today functioned from 11 am to 2 pm.

“For the past two days I have been visiting the Civil Hospital but to no avail. Today, I met my doctor and got my medicine,” said Surjeet Kaur, a patient.

“We know difficulties faced by patients but we were left with no other option but to adopt the way of agitation,” said a doctor from the Civil Hospital.

Another patient, who was admitted for an orthopaedic surgery at the hospital, has decided to return home. “The operation was not being conducted. Hence, we are returning home as there is no point in waiting. Will come again after a few days,” said Manjeet Kaur, mother of the patient.

Many patients had to return without seeing doctors due to a huge rush. The number of patients being referred to the GMC, Patiala, has increased.