Government doctors in Haryana stepped up their protest on Wednesday. They extended their strike indefinitely over unmet demands, including the implementation of the modified assured career progression scheme.
The protesting doctors had earlier held a two-day strike from December 8 to 9. They have now decided to continue the protest without a time limit.
Due to the ongoing standoff with doctors, the Haryana government on Tuesday evening invoked the Essential Services Maintenance Act (ESMA). This order blocks any strike by government doctors, and the health department instructed salary deductions for the days doctors were absent due to the protest.
The strike began after a call by the Haryana Civil Medical Services Association, the body representing government doctors in the state.
Due to the protest, healthcare services such as diagnostic tests, ultrasounds, and CT scans were disrupted in many hospitals.
Dr Rajesh Khyalia, president of the association, said the government had promised a year ago to meet their demands. These included stopping direct recruitment of senior medical officers and implementing the modified assured career progression scheme.
He said they want the government to keep its promise. Instead of resolving the issue, the government is trying to silence the doctors with ESMA and official notices, he added.
He also said that doctors are not getting promotions. He questioned why the government is pressuring them and not implementing the promised reforms. He said that three doctors in Panchkula are on a fast unto death until their demands are accepted.
Khyalia added that the doctors are open to talks, but they have not received any invitation from the government so far.
The association has been demanding an end to direct recruitment of senior medical officers and the implementation of the modified assured career progression scheme.
In response to the strike, the state health department deployed doctors from the National Health Mission, medical colleges, ESIC, consultants, and Ayush practitioners. This was done to ensure healthcare services continued smoothly.
In Ambala and Kurukshetra, however, healthcare services were largely unaffected by the strike.
Ambala Civil Surgeon Dr Rakesh Sahal said that all 168 doctors posted in the district were present on Wednesday. He said all departments, including labs, ultrasound, and X-ray, were functioning normally and patients were being treated properly.
He confirmed that all community and primary health centres were operating smoothly. He said there was no impact of the strike in Ambala.
In Kurukshetra, the strike also failed to gain support, with all doctors reporting for duty at the Lok Nayak Jai Prakash Narain District Hospital.
Chief Medical Officer Dr Sukhbir Singh Mehla said that 23 of 124 doctors were absent on Monday and 18 on Tuesday. But on Wednesday, all doctors were on duty. He said medical services were running smoothly and patients did not face any problems.
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