Chargesheet ordered against 5 doctors for allegedly being negligent on duty, Haryana Civil Medical Services association stage protest

Chandigarh: The Haryana Civil Medical Services (HCMS) Association today observed a three-hour pen-down strike in four districts of the State, as a symbol of protest against the recent decision of issuing chargesheet against five doctors.

This comes after a team of National Health Mission (NHM) conducted an inspection and on the basis of its recommendation, the Government decided to chargesheet five doctors under Rule 7 of Haryana Civil Services (Punishment and Appeal) Rules 2016 for alleged negligence in duty.

However, the association claimed that the chargesheet was issued under Rule 7 against its five doctors "without any valid reason."

While the association observed a token pen-down strike from 8am to 11 am on Saturday, it will decide on the further course of action after its next meeting on August 6. Meanwhile, the association has urged the Government for its earliest consideration in this regard. The pen-down strike was observed in four districts i.e. Karnal, Jhajjar, Rohtak and Charkhi Dadri where the affected Medical Officers are posted.

Raising the issue to the State Health Ministry, the association submitted a representation to the Additional Chief Secretary of Health on Thursday. Addressing the issue, the association mentioned in the letter, "With reference to the subject cited above, the HCMS Association Haryana is writing this letter to express its deep concern and strong resentment regarding the chargesheet issued under Rule 7 against five HCMS Medical Officers, without any valid reason. The decision of chargesheet has been taken on recommendation of a team from State NHM HQs."

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"Doctors of Health Department Haryana have been dedicatedly serving the State, providing essential healthcare services to the people. They have shown unwavering commitment and professionalism, especially during challenging times. Despite of all odds like shortage of manpower, drugs and lack of facilities, doctors are rendering their services tirelessly," it further mentioned.

"Framing irrational chargesheet against doctors of HCMS cadre in gross disproportion to the quantum of irregularities observed by the State level committee of NHM is not justified at all. Such reports and recommendations are not only unfair to the individuals involved but also detrimental to the morale of entire medical fraternity in the State. Such unjust actions can lead to fear and uncertainty among the medical professionals, potentially impacting the quality of healthcare services," the association added.

Announcing its decision of holding a 3 hours pen-down strike on Saturday the association mentioned, "A State level meeting of HCMS association was held on 26.07.2023 regarding this issue. There was a simmering discontent among the doctors throughout the State and it was decided unanimously that doctors will hold 3 hours pen-down strike on 29.07.2023 from 08.00AM to 11:00 AM, as a mark of protest, in District Karnal, Jhajjar, Rohtak and Charkhi Dadri where the affected Medical Officers are posted. All doctors of HCMS cadre will wear black badges while on duty throughout the State."

Seeking urgent intervention of the State authorities in this regard, HCMS has demanded to the authorities for withdrawing the chargesheet issued to the 5 HCMS doctors, reconsidering the facts. "It is also requested to direct Such Inquiry Committees, especially of NHM Haryana to refrain from submitting such recommendations without taking in to account the facts," the letter mentioned.

"In case, the Govt. does not resolve the issue, then doctors will be forced to escalate the agitation," HCMS warned in the letter.

As per the latest media report by The Tribune, the concerned five doctors came under the Health Department scanner for allegedly being “delinquent and negligent on duty” during the field checking by the National Health Mission (NHM).

Following this, the Additional Chief Secretary Health wrote to the Director General Health Services (DGHS), Sector 6, Panchkula, on May 29 for the issuance of chargesheets against those five doctors under Rule 7 of Haryana Civil Services (Punishment and Appeal) Rules 2016.

On July 19, the DGHS further wrote to the civil surgeons of Karnal, Rohtak, Bhiwani and Jhajjar for issuing chargesheets against the doctors.

The Tribune adds that in the case of one of the five doctors, posted at a Primary Health Centre (PHC) in Karnal, it was found that the PHC was closed at night on December 20, 2022 and as per the roster, no night duty was assigned to the nursing officers and Auxiliary Nurse and Midwives (ANMs).

In case of another doctor, the PHC was found closed on December 20, 2022, though nursing officers were on duty as per the roster. The doctor posted at a PHC Rohtak came under the Health Department's scanner over a maternal death under sub-centre Nindana Tigri. The visiting team reviewed the death. The Daily adds that the ANM was allegedly unaware of the guidelines for tablets of iron and folic acid (IFA) and calcium for pregnant women.

Further, in another instance, two deliveries were conducted at a PHC in Bhiwani on December 21, 2022 at 6.30 pm and 7.15 pm, respectively. However, both were not found in the post-natal care (PNC) ward during the visit of the NHM team on December 22, 2022 at 12.15 pm. 

Meanwhile, the doctor posted in Jhjjar came under the scanner as no one was found at the PHC during checking at 3:15 except for a guard.

However, HCMS has alleged that the doctors were issued with the chargesheet without any valid reason. Speaking to Medical Dialogues, the President of the Association, Dr Rajesh Khyalia said, "The version of the doctors was not taken into account and the CMO was also not asked for giving any opinion. So, we are against the decision of the authorities to issue chargesheet against these five doctors. Today was our token strike. We will take further decision after our meeting on 6th August. Meanwhile, we have requested the Government for its earliest consideration in this regard."

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