Doctors in Haryana Continue Strike, Emergency Services to Remain Unaffected

In Haryana, doctors have once again gone on strike today, but emergency services will continue to operate. After late-night discussions between Dr. RS Puniya, Director-General of Health, and officials of the Haryana Medical Services Association (HCMS), an agreement was reached that emergency services will not be disrupted. Doctors have decided not to attend OPD or perform surgeries during the strike.

Doctors in civic hospitals are abstaining from duties such as postmortems, MLR, OPD, IPD, VIP duty, and jail duty. This is the second time within three days that doctors' strikes are causing distress for patients in civic hospitals.

HCMS officials, led by Dr. RS Puniya, met in Panchkula, and the association's state president, Dr. Rajesh Khayalia, led the discussions with the doctors. Health department officials were also present at the meeting.

In Rewari, the Chief Medical Officer (CMO) took charge to minimize the impact of the strike. In contrast, in Chandigarh, a meeting between HCMS and government representatives is scheduled. Dr. RS Puniya assured HCMS officials that discussions with the additional chief secretary, Anupama, and Health Minister Anil Vij would take place within the next two days.

Meanwhile, in Ambala, there is no noticeable impact of the strike as government doctors are providing both OPD and emergency services. Health Minister Anil Vij had previously declared the doctors' strike as unjustified, stating that their significant demands had already been addressed.

In Panipat, OPD services are completely halted due to the doctors' strike. CMO Dr. Jayant Ahuja is making efforts to address the situation, conducting patient check-ups and even prescribing routine medications.

The strike's impact in Karnal is mixed, with emergency services operational, but some doctors are abstaining from OPD duties. The situation is relatively calm, and security measures are in place.

HCMS President Dr. Rajesh Khayalia announced that a symbolic strike would continue until a resolution is reached, with the hope that a solution will be found by Sunday. He emphasized that the struggle for doctors' legitimate demands would persist.

On December 27, during the first day of the strike, only 931 doctors out of the 3,000 in the state participated. Dr. RS Puniya deemed the strike unsuccessful, stating that most of the association's demands had been accepted by Health Minister Anil Vij and approved by the Chief Minister.

The situation is expected to be resolved by Sunday, with ongoing discussions between the doctors' association and the government.