LUDHIANA: Doctors continued to be on a strike on Friday, the second consecutive day, to protest against the government reducing their perks in Sixth Pay Commission and the transfer of their colleague. OPD services at government hospitals remained suspended.
State president of Rural Medical Officers’ Association Dr Depinder Singh of Khanna said, “The Joint Punjab Government Doctors’ Coordination Committee (JPDCC), led by Punjab Civil Medical Services Association (PCMSA), had observed a strike on Thursday in its struggle to save public healthcare system by defending non-practicing allowance (NPA). Dr Gurmail Ankhi, president of PCMSA, Bathinda, was transferred in the process. To oppose the victimisation, PCMSA along with JPDCC had decided to continue the strike on Friday, too. A delegation will meet the health minister regarding the issue.”
On Friday, he added, the services that were disrupted included OPDs, online consultation like e-Sanjeevani, elective surgeries, videoconferences, webinars, UDID camps, Ayushman, medico-legal examination of accused and routine medico-legal work. “Covid services, IPDs (in patient door), emergency surgeries, among others, were not affected,” he said.
Meanwhile, doctors held a protest at civil hospital in support of their demands.
President of Punjab Civil Medical Service for civil hospital Dr Kulwant Singh said, “We also carried posters of ‘I am Dr Gurmail Singh’ to protest his transfer.”
Patients suffered due to the unavailability of doctors at OPD services.
“I didn’t know that doctors are on strike. I came from Haibowal for a consultation and now I am returning home,” said Buta Singh, an elderly man.
Pregnant women who went to government hospitals for a check-up also bore the brunt of the stir.
