Even as government doctors in Haryana went on a strike on Friday to press their demands for the formation of a specialist cadre and a reduction in the bond amount for postgraduate courses, Health Minister Anil Vij maintained that all patients visiting government health institutions or hospitals in the state will receive adequate healthcare services, despite the ongoing strike called by government doctors
The strike had an impact on the outpatient department (OPD) services in some hospitals. This is the second time this week that government doctors in the state have gone on strike. They first went on a strike on Wednesday. They resumed emergency duties after they were assured that a meeting will be arranged between the health minister and representatives of the Haryana Civil Medical Services Association (HCMS), a body representing government doctors in Haryana which is leading the protest.
The HCMS had on Wednesday said that doctors would go on an indefinite strike from Friday with a complete shutdown of all services if the government did not accept their demands. Among the doctors' demands are the formation of a specialist cadre for doctors, a reduction in the bond amount for postgraduate courses and a dynamic assured career progression scheme at par with central government doctors.
Dr Anil Yadav, general secretary, HCMS said OPD services remained suspended in government health institutions on Friday while emergency services functioned as usual. "Given the assurance of a meeting with the government about our demands and keeping in view the larger public interest, we did not proceed with a complete shutdown of services and emergency services are being attended to.
"However, OPDs and elective surgeries remain suspended. The next course of action will depend on the outcome of the talks with the government," he said.
Health Minister Assures Adequate Healthcare Services Amidst Doctors' Strike
Meanwhile, Haryana Health Minister, Anil Vij has reassured the public that all patients visiting government health institutions or hospitals in the state will receive adequate healthcare services, despite the ongoing strike called by government doctors. In response to the strike, the Health Department has revoked all types of leaves for doctors, mobilizing around 3,000 doctors to ensure continuous services. Vij said that to ensure continuous service for the public, the health department has mobilized approximately 3,000 doctors including consultants, senior consultants, NHM doctors, DNB doctors, medical officers from medical colleges, and community health officers.
On Thursday, the Director General of the Haryana Health Services Department, Dr. Randeep Singh Poonia, along with Dr. J.S. Punia (DGHS) and Dr. Manish Bansal (DHS), convened a meeting with representatives of the HCMS Association. The attendees included State President Dr. Rajesh Kumar, Media Coordinator Dr. Amarjeet, and District President Dr. Mandeep, State General Secretary Dr. Anil Yadav also participated via WhatsApp call. The meeting addressed various demands of the association, such as the establishment of a specialist cadre, amendments to the PG policy, pay revisions, and halting direct recruitment of SMOs.
During the meeting, association office bearers were informed that the specialist cadre has been approved. Currently, direct recruitment of SMOs is not underway, and plans are in place to promote 100 medical officers to SMO positions. This process is underway. Additionally, the state government is considering pay revisions and PG policy amendments. The demands of the association are receiving top priority for resolution.
"Given these developments, the strike called by the Association appears unwarranted," the statement said. It urged the Association to retract the strike notice and resume health services immediately in the public's interest. Dr. G Anupama, Additional Chief Secretary of the Health Department, has been briefed on these concerns and has pledged to address them compassionately, scheduling a subsequent meeting with the Health Minister.
