Haryana doctors' body calls for services' shutdown in govt hospitals today

The Haryana Civil Medical Services (HCMS) Association on Wednesday called for a shutdown of health services in government hospitals on July 25 to protest non-fulfilment of doctors' demands, even as the government urged them to consider the impact of the strike on patients. Four HCMS Association doctors, including its president Dr Rajesh Khyalia, started an indefinite hunger strike in front of the office of the director general, Health Services, in Panchkula. The doctors' demands include formation of a specialist cadre, a career progression scheme that ensures parity with central government doctors, no direct recruitment of senior medical officers (SMOs) and reduction in the bond amount for postgraduate courses. "Over the past several months, we have been given repeated assurances pertaining to our various demands but they remain unfulfilled. So, we have decided to observe a total shutdown of health services including OPD, emergency, post-mortem, etc., from tomorrow," Khyalia said.