Chandigarh: Government doctors wearing black badges on National Doctor’s Day, July 1 held a protest against the state government’s indifference to resolving issues raised by the Haryana civil medical services association (HCMSA) a few months ago. HCMSA president Dr Rajesh Khyalia said that a meeting of the state core committee was held on Sunday to share updates on the status of demands discussed with the additional chief secretary, health, on June 26. He said that there is a strong resentment among the members over the insensitive and callous attitude of the government towards the long pending demands of HCMSA. He added that after the mutual agreement between the government and the association, the doctors had deferred the agitation six months ago, but It is unfortunate that even after six months, none of the issues have been resolved.
The association president said the demand for specialist cadre and reducing the amount for the post-graduate course bond are stuck up due to red tape. “Proposals regarding amendment in service rules to stop direct recruitment of senior medical officers, assured career progression and grant of allowances at par with central government doctors have not even been initiated by the state health department,” while talking to media persons Dr Khayalia said that about 1,100 posts of medical officers and 250 posts of senior medical officers are lying vacant in government hospitals in the state.
HSMC Association president Dr Khayalia along with State General Secretary Dr Anil Yadav, and Media Coordinator Dr Amarjit Chauhan said, there is an acute shortage of specialists in the government hospitals, but the proposal of specialist cadre has been stuck up in finance department for last four months even after the approval of CM. They expressed deep concern over direct appointment for the posts of SMO whereas doctors joined as MO in 2002 are still awaiting promotions and unfortunately experienced doctors are facing exploitation in-spite of working continuously in shifts due to shortage of doctors in government hospitals. He said the association has decided to launch a ‘Health Reforms Agitation’ in July this year to raise various issues.
Information reveals that there is an acute shortage of doctors in government hospitals in Haryana. Out of total 3900 posts of Medical Officers 1100 posts are lying vacant, out of 636 posts of SMO 250 posts are lying vacant, out of eight posts of Directors five are vacant and the situation in case of nurses and para-medical staff in government hospitals is still the worst.
