Punjab Government Doctors to Suspend OPD Services Over Unmet Demands
Chandigarh, Punjab – Government doctors in Punjab have announced a complete suspension of outpatient department (OPD) services starting from Thursday, after the state government failed to provide a written acceptance of their demands. The decision comes in the wake of a meeting between the Punjab cabinet sub-committee and the Punjab Civil Medical Services Association (PCMSA), where no formal communication was issued regarding the doctors’ long-standing demands.
The core issues raised by the doctors include the restoration of the Assured Career Progression (ACP) scheme, which offers financial benefits and higher pay scales for government employees. In addition, the doctors are pushing for timely recruitment of medical officers (MOs), clearance of pending CPC arrears, and improved security measures for healthcare professionals working in government hospitals.
The PCMSA, representing around 2,500 government doctors, has been pressing these demands for some time, with escalating protests in recent days. From September 9 to 11, the association suspended OPD services for three hours daily across all district, sub-divisional hospitals, and community health centres, causing widespread disruption for patients seeking medical care. Now, with no resolution in sight, the association has declared a complete boycott of OPD services starting Thursday, signaling tough times ahead for patients relying on government healthcare facilities.
After the recent meeting between the PCMSA and the Punjab cabinet sub-committee, there was hope that the government would issue a formal letter on Wednesday, outlining its acceptance of the doctors’ demands. However, with no official communication received, the doctors have resolved to go ahead with the strike.
“The meeting concluded on a positive note, and we have principally agreed to their demands, which will be fulfilled soon. After the meeting, Health Minister Dr. Balbir Singh said that we request them to end their strike. Despite the government’s assurances, the lack of a formal letter has frustrated the protesting doctors, leading to the continuation of their agitation.
The suspension of OPD services across government hospitals in Punjab is expected to cause significant inconvenience for thousands of patients, particularly those in rural and underserved areas who rely on public healthcare. With a complete boycott starting Thursday, access to medical consultations, treatments, and diagnostics will be severely limited.
The PCMSA has expressed frustration over the government’s slow response, stating that despite several rounds of discussions, there has been no tangible progress on their demands. “We cannot continue to wait indefinitely for the government to act. Our demands are fair, and we need a clear commitment in writing,” said a PCMSA representative.
The ongoing protest is centered around the following primary demands:
Restoration of the Assured Career Progression (ACP) scheme, which provides higher pay scales and financial benefits to government employees based on their years of service.
Timely recruitment of medical officers (MOs) to address staffing shortages in government healthcare facilities.
Clearance of pending CPC arrears to ensure that doctors receive their rightful dues.
Adequate security measures to protect healthcare professionals from violence and harassment in the workplace.
As doctors prepare for the next phase of their protest, the state government faces mounting pressure to resolve the issue quickly to prevent further disruptions to the healthcare system. The situation underscores the growing tensions between healthcare professionals and the government, with potential long-term impacts on public health services in Punjab.
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