Jalandhar civil hospital deserted, OPD entrance bolted as PCMSA full-day strike enters Day 2

The OPD services remained suspended for the second consecutive day at all public health centres in Jalandhar district. Doctors at the civil hospital, community health centres (CHCs), and sub-divisional hospitals in Jalandhar continued their strike, called by Punjab Civil Medical Services Association (PCMSA), to demand staff security and address the shortage of doctors.

Although fewer patients reported to the Jalandhar civil hospital compared to the previous two days, the hospital wore a deserted look due to the strike. However, emergency services remained busy, attending to patients with urgent needs. Security personnel bolted all doors and entries, except for the emergency entrance, in view of the strike. A public bench was used to block the OPD entrance.

Attendants of a patient, Sidhu, who sustained a head injury, said they were asked to shift him to another hospital. However, patients with head injuries, seizures, and other emergency cases continued to receive treatment in the emergency unit.

Posters bearing the words, “Doctors are on strike” and “OPD is closed” were pasted on walls outside the emergency unit. The strike has caused inconvenience for those seeking birth and death certificates, among other services.

PCMSA’s key demands include security for doctors, restoring promotions, addressing staff shortages, and others. Doctors said they were in continued talks with the government but lacked a response, forcing them to continue the strike. The strike will continue until the government provides a written assurance, doctors said.