Patients remain a harried lot

Patients continued to languish as OPD services at the government hospital remained suspended on Wednesday. Many dejected patients headed towards the Aam Aadmi Clinics (AACs) for diagnosis.

Punjab Civil Medical Services Association (PCMSA) has decided to continue the strike on Friday.

Patients were seen returning from Mata Kaushalya Civil Hospital amid protest by doctors. “The OPD at Rajindra Hospital is operational. We have decided to take my grandson there,” said Kamla Devi.

Kamla Devi was not alone, there were scores of patients returning dejected after seeing the doctors protest on the fought consecutive day.

Dr Akhil Sarin, president, PCMSA, said at the meeting held today with the Cabinet sub-committee and Health Minister Dr Balbir Singh, PCMSA asserted its demands, terming the demands on security and annual career progression (ACPs) as non-negotiable.

The cabinet sub-committee while agreeing that the demands were legitimate, in principle, unanimously approved the restoration of the stalled ACPs to the PCMS cadre and unconditionally agreed for the implementation of the same in an expeditious and time-bound manner. All discussions were held in a positive and conducive environment.

“The written assurance issued in this regard by the government late last evening was discussed in detail. Following a meeting the PCMSA unanimously passed a resolution expressing their dissatisfaction over the unnecessary delay in the restoration of dynamic assured career progression (DACPs) and the on-ground security provisions. Moreover, the letter missed out on mentioning that the Cabinet sub-committee had actually, in principle, approved the reinstatement of the stalled DACPs. The GBM stated that the undue delay of 3 months in the restoration of DACPs was not acceptable to the association as it merely involved nullifying an arbitrary letter of

the Finance Department issued way back in 2021. In the face of non-receipt of the required letter from the government, as a mark of protest, OPDs will continue to remain suspended on September 13,” Dr Sarin said.

Emergencey services enhanced

The number of doctors in the emergency wards will be increased from tomorrow to ensure round-the-clock uninterrupted general emergency services, MCH services, emergency surgery, caesarean sections, medicolegal examinations, postmortems and indoor admissions to all the patients visiting the hospital.