Suspension of OPDs cripples health services, patients bear the brunt

With the second phase of doctors’ strike starting today, the Punjab Civil Medical Services doctors have completely suspended the outpatient department (OPD) services. The strike started on September 9 and the OPDs were run for three hours from 11 am to 2 pm till Wednesday. But from today onwards, doctors have announced complete suspension of OPDs and elective surgeries, except for caesarean sections.

Patients were a harried lot at the Civil Hospital after they were unable to meet doctors for consultation. Some kept waiting till 11 am, hoping the OPDs to open but had to return empty handed.

The OPDs at the district hospital, sub-divisional hospitals and community health centres remained completely suspended today.

Ramesh Kumar, who had come to the Civil Hospital for a medical check-up for his recruitment, said: “Doctors are on strike and not conducting medical examination. I need to submit medical certificate for my job and only a government doctor can do that. The strike will cost me dear as I need to submit the certificate within a week,” he said.

Kokila, another patient from Sunet village who was feeling helpless due to extreme pain, said: “I have a stone in my gallbladder and doctor has advised me to get it removed. Today, I came for consultation but nobody was available here and there was total chaos. Even, they are not giving appointment for surgery.”

Some patients have come to the hospital after covering long distances. Rajan from the Industrial Area was disappointed and had to return after he found the OPDs closed. “I will now visit a private doctor as doctors here are not attending to patients,” he said.

Unresolved issues of the doctors include stalled Assured Career Progression Scheme (ACPS), pending 6th CPC arrears, security at workplace, besides other demands.

“The Cabinet sub-committee during a meeting with the doctors stated that our demands were legitimate and unanimously approved the restoration of the stalled ACPS to the PCMS cadre and agreed to implement the same in an expeditious and time-bound manner. But we will not return to work till the government issues a notification in this regard,” said Dr Akhil Sareen, president of the Punjab Civil Medical Services Association (PCMSA).

Services continued

Life-saving surgeries, Only caesarean sections (both elective and emergency), emergency trauma, emergency services, post-mortems, medicolegal examinations, court evidences, judicial medical examinations, OOAT centres to dispense daily dose (stop dispensing take-home doses).