Haryana Civil Medical Services Association (HCMS) (1✔ ✔Reliable source
Haryana Civil Medical Services Association
) announced the closure of health services in government hospitals to protest against the unmet demands of doctors, despite the government’s request that the impact on patients be considered. Four doctors of the HCMS Association, including the president, Dr Rajesh Khyalia, have started an indefinite hunger strike in front of the office of the Director General of Health Services in Panchkula.
Unfulfilled guarantees lead to complete closure of health services
“Over the past few months, we have received repeated assurances regarding our various demands, but these remain unfulfilled. We have therefore decided to observe a complete shutdown of health services, including OPDs, emergency rooms, Post mortemetc., starting tomorrow,” Khyalia said.
“On July 18, the Additional Chief Secretary, Health, assured us that a notification would be issued by July 24 regarding two demands (guarantee of career progression and issuance of bonuses), but nothing has happened,” he added. “We had informed the government a month ago that we would be forced to close all services from July 25 if our demands were not met.”
Responding to the government’s invitation, Khyalia said, “We will attend the meeting, but if there is no outcome, our strike will continue indefinitely.” In a letter to the HCMS Association, which represents government doctors in Haryana, Health Minister Kamal Gupta urged doctors to consider the impact of their strike on the general public.
“I understand that your members have made numerous urgent requests and I assure you that these concerns are being taken very seriously,” he said.
“I recently held a productive meeting with the Prime Minister and other senior officials to discuss these matters in depth. We recognise the importance of their demands and are actively working towards a resolution that is satisfactory to all parties involved. However, I urge each of you to consider the impact that a strike would have 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 time of need.”
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On July 15, government doctors went on a two-hour strike to press for their demands, affecting outpatient department (OPD) services in government health institutions across the state.
According to the HCMS Association, doctors are required to submit two bonds of ₹1 crore each for admission to postgraduate courses, which is considered excessively high and should be reduced considerably.
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On direct recruitment of Senior Medical Officers (SMOs), the association maintains that it would hamper the growth of hundreds of medical officers who are waiting to be promoted to the post after completing 20 years of service.
Reference:
- Haryana Civil Medical Services Association – (https://www.hcmsassociation.in/)
Source-Medindia
