Punjab: Govt doctors observe strike over NPA reduction, over 500 GGSMCH medicos join stir

The strike was initiated by the Joint Punjab Government Doctors Coordination Committee, which includes members from the Punjab Civil Medical Services Association (PCMS). The strike secured support from the Punjab State Veterinary Officers Association, Rural Medical Officers Association, Punjab Dental Medical Officers Association and Punjab Ayurveda Officers Association.

OPDs, routine laboratory examinations in the civil hospitals of Mansa, Muktsar, Moga, Ferozepur and Fazilka districts remained closed on Monday.

Bathinda civil surgeon Dr TS Dhillon told Hindustan Times that though doctors boycotted work, all emergency services, Covid-19 related work, including duty of doctors in isolation wards and vaccination remained unaffected.

Moreover, parallel OPDs were running at the hospital lawn during the period of agitation. Treatment was provided free of cost and the medicines used for the treatment were also arranged by the doctors "to save people from unnecessary hassle". Attending OPD patients outside hospital premises, while continuing protest, is a unique attempt of maintaining patient care while raising demands.

As per a recent media report by The Tribune, over 500 MBBS, MD and MS courses medicos at Guru Gobind Singh Medical College and Hospital (GGSMCH) also extended their support to the protesting medical faculty and government doctors against the decision of NPA cut. They staged a protest against the state government at the entrance of the medical college and hospital on Wednesday as well.

"Amid the pandemic, we almost lost a year of our post-graduation courses to enter the main workforce and serve the patients. However, instead of appreciating the doctors, the government punished them with a slap on the face by announcing a cut in the NPA," said medical students.

Online classes for undergraduate and postgraduate medical courses and elective surgeries at Guru Gobind Singh Medical College, Faridkot, were also suspended in support of the strike.

Medical Dialogues team had earlier reported that the Cabinet took a decision following the 6th pay commission report and reduced the non-practice allowance from 25 % to 20% while dissociating it from the basic pay. Opposing tooth and nail the reduction in NPA from 25 % to 20% following the 6th Pay Commission report, the doctors at Government Medical College (GMC) and Government Dental Colleges in Punjab had boycotted duties for three hours last month. However, even after discussion when the issue remained unresolved, the doctors have again stated their agitation from 15th July and they will continue their protest till 17th July.

Meanwhile, PCMSA president Dr Gagandeep Singh and PSVOA president Dr Sarabjit Singh confirmed that the joint committee members received a call for a meeting with Cabinet Minister Brahm Mohindra, reports The Indian Express.

"During the meeting, the minister assured that the demand of the doctors regarding NPA would be met soon. At the same time JGDCC slammed the lax attitude of the government towards the doctors and once again warned the government that if it did not resolve the issue of NPA immediately then all the medical and veterinary doctors would be forced to go on indefinite strike from Monday," the doctors said in the statement issued on behalf of the JGDCC.