Parveen Arora

Karnal, July 25

Patients were at the receiving end as government doctors, under the banner of Haryana Civil Medical Services (HCMS) Association, began an indefinite strike here today.

Earlier on July 15, they had suspended work for two hours and threatened to go on an indefinite strike from July 25 if their demands were not fulfilled.

The strike is a result of their long-standing demands, which are yet to be addressed by the state government.

The demands include the establishment of a specialist cadre, reduction in the post-graduate (PG) bonds from the current Rs 2 crore to Rs 50 lakh, termination of direct recruitment of Senior Medical Officers and the implementation of the fourth assured career progression.

Besides, they want the issuance of a notification regarding the assurances provided by the government during a meeting held last week.

"The government had assured us last week that our demands would be fulfilled, but no notification has been issued so far, forcing us to launch an indefinite strike," said Dr Sandeep Abrol, district president, HCMS Association. "They would not resume duties till the notification is issued," he said, adding that they did not provide emergency services, medico-legal, post-mortem and operation theatre services.

The impact of the strike has been immediate and severe, with patients bearing the brunt of disrupted services. The health authorities deployed community health officers and consultants to run emergency services at the District Civil Hospital, but the number was not sufficient to cater to the demand of the patients. Patients had to either wait for hours for their turn or had to return without getting a check-up. The strike has put significant pressure on the staff on duty.

"I have been suffering from fever for the past four-five days but I could not find the doctor whom I have been getting treatment from," said Sanjay, a local resident.

Seema, another patient, said that she returned without getting a prescription as a junior doctor was sitting in the OPD.

Meanwhile, Civil Surgeon Dr Krishan Kumar visited the Civil Hospital and reviewed the situation. "We have deployed six doctors from the National Health Mission, seven consultants, two from Newborn Intensive Care Unit (NICU), eight doctors from Ayush and four community health officers so that the work is not affected," he said. Dr Kumar said that OPD slips were issued to 1,353 people till 1 pm and doctors on duty provided OPD services to them.

He said the Director of Kalpana Chawla Government Medical College had been requested to deploy more staff for emergency, post-mortem and OT services so that services are not hampered. A meeting of the state representatives of the HCMS Association was scheduled in Chandigarh with the Chief Principal Secretary to the Chief Minister, Rajesh Khullar.