Doctors distribute pamphlets among patients to garner support, justify cause
In a bid to garner public support before the complete shutdown of medical services from September 9, doctors at government hospitals distributed pamphlets among patients, who visited their Out Patient Departments (OPDs) here, on Thursday.
The pamphlets listing problems and demands of doctors were pinned to the OPD slips of each patients by their doctors. Dr Sumitpal Singh, president, Punjab Civil Medical Services Association, Amritsar, said, “The general public is not aware of what doctors are facing. People might be thinking that doctors are on the wrong side.” Dr Sumitpal Singh said the informative pamphlet would educate masses about issues faced by doctors.
“We are not against the public. We are not even against the government. Our fight is to get our rightful dues and to put pressure on the government to improve medical services in the state,” said Dr Madhur Poddar, general secretary, Punjab Civil Medical Services Association, Amritsar.
Dr Poddar said the government had sanctioned a strength of 4,600 doctors in Punjab in 1991. “Though population has increased during the past 33 years, at least 2,800 posts of doctor are lying vacant. Ideally with increase in population, the number of posts should have increased,” he said.
Dr Sumitpal Singh said, “At present, doctors too are overburdened with VIP duties, court cases, inquiries, camps and other assignments which do not have any connection with what a doctor has to do. A doctor should be treating patients and not waiting for VIPs.”
Dr Sumitpal Singh said, “A large number of doctors prefer to work in private sector as they get a better salary and do not have to deal with unnecessary duties like in the government health facilities.”
The Punjab Civil Medical Services Association has announced an indefinite strike from September 9 in the district over their pending demand of assured career progression, release of arrears of dearness allowance, recruitment for vacant posts and security at the workplace. The association stated that all their listed demands were justified and ideally the government should have fulfilled these without anyone asking about it.
