Chandigarh: HCMS Association Issues Warning to Haryana Government

Healthcare Services Suspension Planned

Doctors affiliated with the Haryana Civil Medical Services (HCMS) Association have issued a strong ultimatum to the state government. They announced that all healthcare services, including outpatient services, emergency care, post-mortems, labor rooms, and surgical units, will be suspended on December 8 and 9 if their longstanding demands are not met.

Potential Open-Ended Strike

The association has also indicated that an open-ended strike will commence on December 10 if a resolution is not reached. This decision was made during a meeting of the Association’s State Action Committee, where members expressed significant frustration over what they describe as the government’s uncaring and indifferent attitude towards the legitimate concerns of HCMS personnel.

Unfulfilled Government Promises

Doctors feel misled as previous assurances made by the government over a year ago remain unfulfilled. A primary issue is the earlier commitment to cease direct hiring of Senior Medical Officers (SMOs) and to fill such positions through promotions following necessary amendments to service regulations. The association highlighted that, despite this promise, 200 out of the sanctioned SMO posts remain vacant, with 160 still designated for direct recruitment due to the lack of required rule changes.

Statements from Association Leadership

In a statement to Medical Dialogues, Dr. Rajesh Khyalia, president of the association, emphasized, “We have been demanding that direct recruitment of Senior Medical Officers (SMOs) should be stopped as the SMO’s posts should be filled by giving proper promotion to the doctors. Another demand is regarding the long-standing need for Assured Career Progressions (ACPs). Though the chief minister and the finance department approved the newly proposed ACP slab, nothing has been formally notified yet. We are not trying to disrupt healthcare with our agitation, but if the delay continues, we will have no other option.”

Demands for Career Progression

The association initially requested four ACPs at 4, 9, 13, and 20 years of service in line with central norms. Last year, the government agreed to revise the structure to three ACPs at 5 years (6600 GP), 10 years (8000 GP), and 15 years (9500 GP). Furthermore, the association noted that rather than directly appointing specialists to SMO administrative posts, the authorities could implement compensatory measures such as Specialist Incentives, Ayushman Incentives, or optional Non-Practicing Allowance (NPA) to ensure that specialists are retained while also preserving the promotion rights of current doctors.