Punjab doctors end strike following government assurance on demands; to resume regular working hours
PTC Web Desk: Doctors in Punjab on Saturday called off their strike after the state government assured that it would address all their demands without any conditions. The assurance was given during a meeting held in a cordial atmosphere.
Notably, the Punjab Government has announced the acceptance of all demands put forth by the Punjab Civil Medical Services Association (PCMSA) after a meeting held between Health Minister Dr Balbir Singh, Principal Secretary of the Health Department, Additional Secretary (Finance), and PCMSA representatives. In a joint statement released after the meeting, the government said security arrangements at all 24x7 government hospitals and health centres across the state would be announced within a week. As many as 400 vacant posts of medical officer would will be filled by next month.
The long-pending ACPs (Assured Career Progression) will be reinstated and implemented without conditions within the next 12 weeks, possibly sooner.
In response to the acceptance of their demands, the PCMSA has immediately called off their planned suspension of OPD services. Furthermore, to make up for any inconvenience caused to patients during the suspension of services, OPD hours will be extended by an additional two hours for the first two days of next week.
Health Minister Dr Balbir Singh claimed that a consensus had been reached on all matters. The agreement also includes the introduction of several new facilities to improve working conditions for healthcare professionals.
- PTC NEWS
