Over 3,000 Haryana doctors on strike, prohibitory orders imposed

Gurgaon: Following a two-day strike by doctors across government hospitals in Haryana, the state administration has imposed prohibitory orders to maintain public order and ensure uninterrupted healthcare services. Over 3,000 doctors, represented by the Haryana Civil Medical Services (HCMS) Association, began the strike on Monday, demanding better career progression, internal promotions, and the creation of a separate specialist cadre.

According to the news reports, the strike revolves around three key demands, including setting up a distinct cadre for specialists, selection of senior medical officers through internal promotions, and implementation of a dynamic assured career progression (ACP) scheme comparable to central government hospitals.

Medical Dialogues yesterday reported that, supporting the issues raised by the Haryana Civil Medical Services (HCMS) Association, the Democratic Medical Association (DMA India) has demanded immediate and concrete action from the government.

Also Read:SMO Recruitment: DMA India supports Haryana Govt doctors, demands immediate action

HCMSA members highlighted that direct recruitment of senior medical officers has adversely affected promotion prospects for many doctors.

"There is a pressing need to amend these rules," said an HCMSA member. "In certain states, there is a provision for promotion after fixed intervals. For instance, a medical officer in a central govt hospital in Bihar is eligible for promotion in 4, 9, 13, and 20 years. This is not the case in Haryana. More than 95% of doctors here retire with just one promotion in their entire career, from medical officer to senior medical officer," he said, reports TOI.

Deputy Commissioner Ajay Kumar issued prohibitory orders under Section 163 of BNSS, within a 200-metre radius of all govt health institutions, including the civil hospital, sub-divisional hospitals, polyclinics, community health centres, and primary health centres. The order prohibits the gathering of five or more persons within the restricted perimeter, with violations inviting action.

Also Read:Haryana Govt doctors warn of medical service shutdown on December 8, 9

Despite the strike, outpatient department (OPD) services at Civil Hospital, Sector 10, Gurgaon, continued without disruption on the first day. The health department had arranged contingency measures to ensure uninterrupted patient care.

Officials stated that they hope to resolve the issue through dialogue, aiming to prevent a prolonged crisis that could strain the state’s healthcare system.

Local patients expressed relief at the smooth functioning. As per the news reports, a local man who visited Civil Hospital with his seven-year-old son did not face any delay in getting an appointment or medicines. He mentioned that his son had been suffering from fever and body aches for the past few days and that he was worried about the strike, but there was no problem at all.

Another visitor from Sector 10 also did not have to wait long. He said that he had come to consult a gynaecologist for his pregnant wife and that they received all the help they needed.

However, doctors cautioned that while short-term operations may continue, a prolonged strike could make it difficult to manage patient load in government hospitals.