The News Freedom
Chandigarh, September 14
Following an assurance from Punjab Health and Family Welfare Minister Dr. Balbir Singh, government doctors in Punjab have called off their strike with immediate effect on Saturday. Dr. Balbir Singh, along with Principal Secretary Finance Ajoy Kumar Sinha and Secretary Health Kumar Rahul, held an emergency meeting with a delegation of the PCMS Association (PCMSA), led by state president Dr. Akhil Sarin. During the meeting, Dr. Singh appealed to the doctors to end the strike, emphasizing the hardships faced by patients. He assured the delegation that there is no shortage of funds for the health department, despite challenges posed by the central government, and that all approved demands of the PCMSA will be implemented without delay.
Dr. Balbir Singh reiterated that patient welfare remains the primary objective of the Chief Minister Bhagwant Singh Mann-led government, and no patient should suffer due to the ongoing strike or lack of treatment.
While the cabinet sub-committee had already agreed to the doctors’ demands earlier in the week, the Health Minister reassured the delegation that key issues, such as the restoration of the Dynamic Assured Career Progression (DACP), would be addressed and implemented soon.
Addressing additional concerns raised by the PCMSA, Dr. Balbir Singh acknowledged that there is significant stagnation in the careers of doctors, with many receiving their first promotion around the age of 50. To remedy this, he is working on increasing the number of Senior Medical Officer (SMO) posts to ensure better career progression. The government has also sanctioned the recruitment of 1,390 doctors, with 400 vacancies already advertised. Moreover, funds have been released for improved security measures in hospitals, including the installation of CCTV cameras in all government health facilities.
Dr. Singh further emphasized the government’s commitment to fulfilling the demands of the PCMSA, stating that most have already been approved and will be implemented within a set timeline. The final modalities are being worked out, and the process is expected to begin next week.
In response, Dr. Akhil Sarin, president of the PCMSA, expressed gratitude to the Health Minister for the reassurances and announced that the strike would be called off immediately. As a goodwill gesture toward patients affected by the strike, the PCMSA has also decided to extend OPD timings by two hours to help make up for the disruption caused.
Other officials present at the meeting included Secretary Finance Diprava Lakra, Director of Health and Family Welfare Dr. Hitinder Kaur, Director of Medical Education and Research Dr. Avnish Kumar, and senior officers from the state government.