Chandigarh: The indefinite strike of government doctors in Haryana from Thursday to protest the non-fulfilment of their demands has crippled health services in state-run hospitals across state. Haryana Civil Medical Services Association (HCSMA) spearheading the strike has requested the government to consider their demands including the formation of a specialist cadre and a career progression scheme that ensures parity with their central government peers. The HCSMA President Dr Rajesh Khyalia has started an indefinite hunger strike along with three other doctors in front of the office of the health services director general in Panchkula. Dr Rajesh Khyalia said, “If there is no outcome (of the talks), then our strike will continue indefinitely.” The HCSMA demand include no direct recruitment of senior medical officers and reduction in the bond amount for postgraduate courses.
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The impact of the strike was seen across Haryana as long queues of patients were seen in outpatient departments (OPDs) of district hospital across cities, including Panchkula, Karnal, Gurugram and Panipat, with many saying they were told that the doctors were on strike. At a few places, patients in OPDs said they were attended to by doctors undergoing postgraduate training, those doing internship and retired doctors.
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Meanwhile the Haryana health minister Dr Gupta in a letter to HCSMA has urged the doctors to consider the impact of their strike on the public. “I understand that … numerous pressing demands (have been) put forth by your members and I want to assure you that these concerns are being taken very seriously. Recently, I held a productive meeting with the chief minister and other higher officers to discuss these matters extensively. We recognise the importance of your demands and are actively working towards a resolution that will be satisfactory to all parties involved,” he said in the letter. “However, I urge each one of you to consider the impact of a strike on our patients and the general public. We have a responsibility to ensure that healthcare services remain uninterrupted, especially for those who rely on us in their times of need,” the minister said.