Doctors go on strike in Haryana; services hit in government hospitals

Haryana government doctors on indefinite strike for demands, affecting state-run hospitals, patients urged to consider impact.

Government doctors in Haryana began an indefinite strike on July 25 to protest against the non-fulfilment of their various demands, hitting services in State-run hospitals.

The strike was called by the Haryana Civil Medical Services Association, which represents government doctors in the State.

The doctors' demands include the formation of a specialist cadre for them and a career progression scheme that ensures parity with their Central government peers. The association called for a shutdown of health services in government hospitals to protest against the non-fulfilment of doctors' demands. The State government has urged the body to consider the impact of the strike on patients.

"Doctors of various government health institutions have proceeded on an indefinite strike across the State," association president Dr. Rajesh Khyalia said.

On July 23, four association members, including Dr. Khyalia, started an indefinite hunger strike in front of the office of the Health Services director general in Panchkula.

The other demands of the doctors include no direct recruitment of senior medical officers and reduction in the bond amount for postgraduate courses.

On the government's invitation for talks on Thursday, Dr. Khyalia said, "We will attend the meeting but if there is no outcome, then our strike will continue indefinitely." At many places, including Panipat and Gurugram, long queues of patients were seen in outpatient departments (OPDs) of district hospital, with many saying they were told that the doctors were on strike.