Punjab Govt doctors meet Health Minister, Refuse to call off strike

The meeting was attended by Finance Minister Harpal
Cheema, Health Minister Balbir Singh, Principal Secretary Health and Family
Welfare Kumar Rahul, Principal Secretary Finance Ajoy Kumar Sinha, DHS Dr Hitinder
Kaur, and a five-member PCMSA delegation.

PCMSA was apprised that
the preparation of an overall framework regarding the calculations is underway
and the modalities will be shared with PCMSA in a meeting with the FD on 10th
January (Friday). The concerns raised by
PCMSA regarding the imminent crisis of high attrition/low retention/low entry
rates looming over the healthcare system of the state, primarily borne out of
stalled ACPs, shortage of MOs, and unsafe working environment were duly acknowledged
by the government officials.

Medical
Dialogues had earlier reported that PCMSA announced an indefinite strike across all public
healthcare facilities of the state, starting from January 20th. The action
comes in response to the failure to fulfill time-bound commitments related to
the rollout of a security framework and the reinstatement of the Dynamic
Assured Career Progression (DACP) scheme.  

PCMSA has categorically
reiterated its stand that the cadre will not settle for anything less than
DACPs in the form and manner as were applicable before 01/07/2021, as duly
promised/committed to by the Government in writing and in their official
public/press appearances.

In a press release the
association stated, “The modalities as and when shared with PCMSA on 10th
January will be shared with the cadre at the district levels on 11th and
accordingly, an appropriate plan of action, if needed, will be announced on
12th January at the GBM to be held at Moga. As of now, the call for suspension
of services from 20th January onwards stay.”