Punjab Govt doctors suspend OPD services, patients suffer at Mohali Civil Hospital

Mohali: The outpatient department (OPD) services at Mohali’s Civil Hospital were halted on Thursday, leaving many patients stranded and without care. The suspension was caused by a strike by government doctors in Punjab, who are calling for improved working conditions and enhanced security measures from the state government.

The suspension of OPD services had a significant impact, disrupting a broad spectrum of services such as routine check-ups, follow-up appointments, and specialist consultations. When several patients arrived at the OPD area of Mohali’s civil hospital and insisted on receiving treatment, hospital staff were forced to close the doors, citing the ongoing strike. Only patients requiring emergency care were permitted entry.

Also Read: Punjab doctors to go on strike from September 9

Bhupinderjit Singh, a 62-year-old resident of Sector 123, was among those affected by the strike. Singh had arrived at the hospital with his wife for a scheduled follow-up examination following kidney stone surgery. Despite his repeated requests, the doctors have refused to treat him.

According to the Hindustan Times, Singh, clearly frustrated by the disruption in hospital services, expressed his dissatisfaction, saying, “My check-up was scheduled on Thursday. I am a retired government employee and requested the doctor to examine me, but he refused, citing a state-level strike. Doctors should also remember their duty while demanding incentives from the government. Now, I won’t return here, as it is not easy for me to repeatedly visit the hospital”.

Another patient, 85-year-old Harjinder Singh, encountered similar difficulties. He arrived at the hospital with his wife, who was in a wheelchair, seeking medical attention for a throat and stomach infection. Despite her attempts to secure an appointment by pleading with the female staff at the reception, no assistance was provided. It was only after persistent requests and insistence from the public that a female doctor agreed to attend to Harjinder.

While the general OPD services were suspended, the hospital's dental OPD continued to handle emergency cases. However, patients seeking non-emergency dental care were asked to return later.

A senior doctor noted that the strike has significantly impacted hospital services. While essential services like emergency trauma care, medicolegal work, ultrasounds, and X-rays continued without interruption, other critical functions were disrupted. This included facilities for medical examinations of new government appointees, dope tests, VIP duties, and various inquiries and reports required by state headquarters, all of which were not being conducted during the strike period.

Senior medical officer Dr Vijay Bhagat said, “We have increased the number of doctors in the emergency area. We won’t let patients who require urgent treatment suffer.”

Earlier on Wednesday, a cabinet sub-committee led by Finance Minister Harpal Cheema, and including Health and Family Welfare Minister Dr Balbir Singh, Renewable Energy Minister Aman Arora, and NRI Affairs Minister Kuldeep Singh Dhaliwal, held detailed discussions with representatives from the Punjab Civil Medical Services Association (PCMSA). The three-hour meeting aimed to address the doctors' concerns but failed to resolve them.

The strike, organized by the Punjab Civil Medical Services Association (PCMSA), involves approximately 2,500 doctors advocating for significant reforms and improvements in their working conditions. These demands of the protesting doctors include the restoration of the Assured Career Progression (ACP) scheme, which offers financial benefits and higher pay scales to government employees. The removal of this scheme has been a major grievance among the medical staff. In addition to the reinstatement of the ACP scheme, the doctors are also calling for timely recruitment of medical officers (MOs), clearance of pending CPC arrears, and improved security measures for healthcare professionals.

Earlier in the week, starting Monday, the PCMSA had implemented a partial strike, suspending OPD services for three hours daily—from 8 am to 11 am—in all district, sub-divisional hospitals, and community health centres. This initial phase aimed to draw attention to the doctors' demands while minimizing disruption.

In the second phase of the strike, which began on Thursday, a full boycott of OPD services has been implemented, leading to considerable difficulties for patients seeking care at government hospitals. This development marks a tough period for those reliant on these facilities for routine medical attention.

Also Read: Punjab doctors go on strike, OPD services hit