Nawanshahr- In September last year, medical officers in all government hospitals of Punjab had protested for their legitimate demands of security and promotion, during which people had to face problems due to closure of OPD services. After the meeting in Punjab Bhawan on September 14, the Health Minister of Punjab came in front of the media and promised that their demands have been accepted and they will be fulfilled within three weeks.
On the assurance given by the Government Doctors' Association, they ended the protest and started their services, but due to the government not doing anything on both the issues within the stipulated time, there is a lot of anger among the medical officers across Punjab and at many places many specialists are resigning from government services and leaving the hospital. In view of this, the Doctors Association has again warned the Punjab government that doctors do not want patients to face problems, so the government should fulfill the agreement on both the issues of security and career advancement in time, otherwise they will have no option but to close OPD services again and sit on dharna from January 20, 2025.
The association has also called a meeting of all its district units on January 12 regarding the next policy. He also clarified that our association is an organization working in the interest of the people. Security in hospitals is important not only for doctors but also for every staff and visiting patients, because there should be security guards in hospitals to prevent incidents of theft of patients' belongings. Similarly, due to lack of career growth of doctors, good and intelligent doctors are being forced to leave government hospitals and go to private hospitals.
It is the failure of the government that it is neither able to retain the old working doctors nor is it getting the newly recruited doctors to join. It is worth mentioning that last month, the Chief Minister of Punjab organized a big program and gave appointment letters to 304 medical officers of Patiala district, whose joining date was today, but according to the information, one-third of the doctors did not join the job, because the government is not making any improvement in the service conditions of the medical officers of the health department. Due to lack of promotion opportunities, the existing 4-9-14 years and career progression scheme has also been stopped without any reason.
PCMS medical officers have still expressed hope that the Health Minister and Health Administrative Secretary will take the necessary approvals from the Finance Department in time, so that there is no need for a strike, but if the government does not do anything in this regard by the 20th, then a joint strike will be held in all government hospitals of Punjab. On this occasion, officials of PCS Association Shaheed Bhagat Singh Nagar, Dr. Satwinderpal Singh President, Dr. Harpinder Singh General Secretary, Dr. Nirmal Kumar Vice President, Dr. Ajay Basra etc. were present.