The Haryana Civil Medical Services Association (HCMSA) on Monday said that government doctors across the state would be forced to do a complete shutdown of outpatient department (OPD) services on December 27 if the state government did not consider their demands.
HCMSA president Dr Rajesh Khyalia in a statement said that a complete shutdown of all health services including emergency health services will be observed for an indefinite period from December 29 onwards if the demands are not met.
Dr Khyalia said the demands of the association included a reduction in the bond amount for postgraduate courses, addressing the issue of shortage of specialists, and stopping direct recruitments of senior medical officers (SMOs).
Association general secretary Dr Anil Yadav in a communication to the state government said there is an immense shortage of specialists in Haryana and the association has been requesting the state government to take concrete steps to get specialists in the cadre. Two years ago, the chief minister (CM) had also announced the formation of a specialist cadre. Unfortunately, no measures have been taken by the government even after two years, Dr Yadav said.
“Doctors are overburdened and poor people are deprived of quality services,” the communication said.
Dr Yadav said that the association has been demanding assured career progression (ACP) at four, nine, 13 and 20 years at par with the Central government. “The proposal of ACP was approved by the health minister and CM long ago and is pending with the finance department,” said Dr Khyalia adding that doctors have to submit two bonds of one crore each for pursuing in-service post-graduate courses.
