Punjab doctors threaten protest over hospital security and staff shortage

Time of India

a day ago

Patiala: The Punjab Civil Medical Services Association (PCMSA), Patiala unit, has threatened to intensify protests if the state govt fails to provide security personnel in govt hospitals by Aug 19, a deadline earlier promised by senior health officials.
The doctors submitted a memorandum to civil surgeon Dr Jagpal Inder Singh Thursday, urging immediate implementation of security measures and redressal of long-pending demands affecting public healthcare delivery.
The association recalled a meeting held last week with health department principal secretary Kumar Rahul, during which they were assured that security guards would be deployed in hospitals across the state by Aug 19.
"If the govt remains unresponsive and fails to fulfill this commitment, the association will be forced to launch an agitation," the memo stated.
Doctors pointed out that last year too, similar concerns were raised after a series of incidents in hospitals, leading to a statewide strike. The then health minister had publicly announced at Punjab Bhawan, Chandigarh, that security arrangements would be put in place within a week, but no progress has been made even a year later.
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"Not a single hospital has been provided security personnel to date, leaving staff vulnerable and patients inconvenienced," the association claimed.
Apart from the security issue, several other critical concerns were raised during the association's meeting. Doctors expressed frustration over the non-implementation of the Modified Assured Career Progression (MACP) scheme, despite being officially announced.
They also highlighted acute staff shortages at health centres that are expected to operate 24/7 emergency services. In the absence of sanctioned posts, doctors from other facilities are deployed temporarily, which disrupts services at both locations.
The memorandum noted that in many health centres, night emergency services are being run without adequate medical staff, nurses, or any security. "In such conditions, medical and legal cases are being handled even during late hours, often exposing staff to harassment and pressure, especially from individuals under the influence of substances or crowds seeking favourable reports," it stated.
The association demanded that no emergency shift be assigned at such centres without first ensuring basic safety and infrastructure.
Further, the shortage of general duty doctors is reportedly leading to specialist doctors being deployed in emergency shifts, adversely affecting regular outpatient services. "This leads to patient inconvenience and complaints, ultimately damaging the image of govt hospitals," the doctors said.
Another key demand raised was that the maintenance of hospital machinery and oxygen supply systems should be handled by the engineering wing of the Punjab Health Systems Corporation (PHSC), rather than doctors being held responsible for technical failures.
The memorandum was jointly submitted by Dr Sumeet Singh (district president), Dr Nidhi Sharma (co-president), Dr Mohammad Parvez Farooqi (general secretary), and Dr Anudeep Gill. Civil Surgeon Dr Jagpal Inder Singh assured the delegation that actionable demands at his level would be addressed promptly and the rest would be forwarded to higher authorities in the health department.
The association emphasised that the concerns raised are not only vital for the safety and working conditions of medical staff but also directly impact the quality of healthcare provided to the public.
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