Strike ends, OPD services resume at medical college

The out-patient department (OPD) and elective services resumed at Government Rajindra Hospital and Government Medical College, Patiala, along with other state-run medical colleges, as the Forum of Resident Doctors and MBBS interns officially called off their strike on Monday evening and resumed duties on Tuesday.

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Dr Vishal Chopra, Medical Superintendent (MS) Rajindra Hospital, Patiala, confirmed that the OPD began on time and the first slip was issued at 8 am.

The decision to end the strike came after a meeting between a delegation of doctors, Punjab Health Minister Dr Balbir Singh and Finance Minister Harpal Singh Cheema.

The Health Minister wrote on “X” that the issue had been resolved amicably. The monthly stipend for MBBS interns has been increased from Rs 15,000 to Rs 22,000. Junior Residents will now receive salaries ranging from Rs 76,000 in first year to Rs 78,000 in the third year, while Senior Residents will get Rs 92,000 in the first year and Rs 94,000 in the third year.

The government has also agreed to constitute a panel to review the contentious Rs 20-lakh bond policy and the recent hikes in medical education fees.

“With our concerns heard and addressed, we have resumed all OPD and hospital services in medical colleges across the state from July 1,” said Dr Ramandeep Singh, president of the Resident Doctors’ Association (RDA), Patiala.

The doctors’ delegation at the high-level meeting included Dr Ramandeep Singh (Patiala RDA president), Dr Akshay Seth (chief patron), Dr Gurbhagat Singh (general secretary), Dr Milan (adviser), Dr Mehtab Singh Bal (press secretary), and executive members Dr Gurjeet Singh and Dr Darshdeep Singh.