Haryana Govt Doctors call off strike

Chandigarh: Government hospitals across Haryana have returned to normal operations after doctors under the Haryana Civil Medical Services Association (HCMSA) called off their indefinite strike following written assurances from the state government.

The government assured the doctors that it would halt the direct recruitment of Specialist Medical Officers (SMOs) for now and review the Assured Career Progression (ACP) structure.

Medical Dialogues had been reporting extensively that over 3,000 doctors, represented by the Haryana Civil Medical Services (HCMS) Association, began a strike on Monday, demanding a revised assured career progression (ACP) structure and revocation of the direct recruitment of Specialist Medical Officers (SMOs), among other demands.

Also read- PIL filed in High Court as Haryana doctors strike enters day 4

After four days of the strike, the government responded and agreed to address the demands at the earliest. It confirmed that the direct recruitment of SMOs would be put on hold temporarily. The government will examine the service rules of other states before making a final decision on amendments.

The issue related to the revised ACP scheme was resolved after doctors agreed to opt for incentives under the Ayushman Bharat scheme instead. A committee has been formed to prepare the incentive framework and is expected to submit its report within 30 days. The government gave written assurance that the demands would be implemented.

The decision was taken during a meeting between Health Minister Arti Singh Rao, senior health officials, and representatives of the HCMSA. The meeting lasted for nearly two hours.

After the meeting, Director General of Health Services (DGHS) Manish Bansal said "The ACP could not be implemented and a panel would be formed for the Ayushman incentive instead."

A health official told TOI, "Doctors will receive incentives through Ayushman Bharat. The committee's role is to outline how these benefits will be structured and delivered, with recommendations anticipated within 30 days."

HCMSA president Dr Rajesh Khyalia told HT, "The Ayushman incentive scheme shall be proposed by a committee which will examine the schemes of other state governments and guidelines issued by the National Health Authority in the same format. The panel shall include one member of the doctors’ association and will submit its proposal within a month for implementation."

Medical Dialogues had also reported that during the strike, the Haryana government invoked the Essential Services Maintenance Act (ESMA), which bans doctors and health staff from going on strike for six months. The Director General of Health Services had also announced that salaries would be withheld under the “No Work, No Pay” policy. Despite this, the doctors continued their indefinite strike.

Even though the government confirmed to cut their pay, the doctor, after the meeting, confirmed that the days of absence during the strike would be treated as leave.

HCMSA general secretary Dr Anil Yadav said, "Concerns were also raised regarding newly appointed medical officers being posted in district hospitals, which could delay their eligibility for ACP. It was agreed that no medical officer would be denied the first ACP benefits due to posting in an urban facility if the government itself did not send them to rural areas."

Also read- Haryana Govt invokes ESMA to prevent 3000 doctors from strike, threatens salary cut