Chandigarh: DMA India Supports HCMS Association’s Demands
Call for Immediate Government Action
The Democratic Medical Association (DMA India) has expressed its support for the concerns raised by the Haryana Civil Medical Services (HCMS) Association, urging the government to take immediate and decisive action. This statement comes from DMA’s leadership, including National President Dr. Amit Vyas, National General Secretary Dr. Shubh Pratap Solanki, National Vice-President Dr. Bhanu Kumar, and National Women Wing Secretary Dr. Priyanshu Sharma.
Issues Affecting Government Doctors
The DMA has issued a stern warning to the state government regarding several critical issues. These include unfulfilled promises in the recruitment of Senior Medical Officers (SMOs), unjustified delays in the issuance of ACP orders, and pending amendments to service rules. Such factors have led to considerable disappointment among government doctors.
Vacancies and Delayed Orders
According to the DMA, there are over 200 vacant SMO positions, while 160 posts are currently stalled due to unresolved rule amendments. Additionally, the delay in ACP orders has exceeded one year. Despite their continuous service in outpatient departments (OPDs), emergency care, operating theaters (OT), and rural health facilities, the government has seemingly overlooked their longstanding issues.
Upcoming Strike Actions
Medic Helpline reported that members of the HCMS Association have announced a suspension of all healthcare services on December 8 and 9, should their demands remain unaddressed. This includes OPD services, emergency care, post-mortems, labor rooms, and surgical units. Furthermore, the association warned that an open-ended strike would commence on December 10 if no resolution is reached.
Government Accountability
In solidarity with the HCMS Association’s call for a complete shutdown on December 8–9 and an indefinite strike from December 10, the DMA has emphasized that the government will be solely responsible for any disruption in healthcare services. The DMA’s demands include the immediate issuance of ACP orders, the filling of SMO vacancies, prompt implementation of service-rule amendments, and the provision of Ayushman/NPA or equivalent incentives for specialist doctors.
Statements from DMA Leadership
Dr. Amit Vyas, representing the DMA, stated, “No more promises, we need action. Doctors are the backbone of the state; ignoring their issues is unacceptable. If health services get disrupted, the full responsibility will lie solely with the government — not the doctors. The government must act now, or the movement will become even stronger and more intense.”
Disagreement Among Directly Recruited Specialists
Meanwhile, directly recruited postgraduate specialist doctors have voiced their disagreement with the proposal to eliminate direct recruitment for SMOs and have opted not to participate in the strike. These specialists argue that direct recruitment is crucial for their career progression, especially since several government-approved demands remain pending, including the creation of a specialist cadre within the Health Department, which was approved in 2024 but has yet to be implemented. The delay has led to frustration among these doctors, highlighting the need for direct recruitment to safeguard their career growth.
Recent Actions by Government Doctors
In recent developments, Haryana government doctors conducted a two-hour pen-down strike, resulting in the suspension of OPD services, further illustrating the urgency of the situation.