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Time of India
2 days ago
- Health
- Time of India
Punjab doctors threaten protest over hospital security and staff shortage
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. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Use an AI Writing Tool That Actually Understands Your Voice Grammarly Install Now Undo "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. Stay updated with the latest local news from your city on Times of India (TOI). Check upcoming bank holidays , public holidays , and current gold rates and s ilver prices in your area.
Time of India
3 days ago
- Health
- Time of India
Pb min urges public to use mobile food safety vans
1 2 Chandigarh: Punjab health minister Dr Balbir Singh on Wednesday exhorted the public to make maximum use of the 'Food Safety on Wheels' initiative, which has been expanded in all the districts. Notably, 'Food Safety on Wheels' are mobile food testing vans, which are equipped for screening adulteration among major categories of food, including milk, paneer, water, and other daily consumables. "These vans are a crucial tool in our fight against food adulteration. I urge every individual to get their food tested," said the health minister, while addressing a press conference at Punjab Bhawan here. He was accompanied by principal secretary (health) Kumar Rahul, commissioner Food and Drug Administration (FDA) Punjab Dilraj Singh, director (Labs) Ravneet Kaur, and joint commissioner (food safety) Dr Amit Joshi. He informed that since the AAP govt came to power, a total of 18,559 enforcement samples, along with 12,178 surveillance samples, were taken by the department. Additionally, over 13,000 samples were screened for adulteration on Food Safety on Wheels so far, he said, while adding that the major categories include paneer, ghee, milk, spices, fruits and vegetables, sweets and khoya. Health minister Singh directed FDA officials to utilise these food safety vans to their full potential, and create awareness among the masses, specifically students, while asking them to act in a transparent manner and implement all the policies of the department in true letter and spirit. He also emphasised that only "Shudh Ann" would lead to "Shudh Mann and Swasth Tann". He reiterated that food adulteration will not be tolerated at any cost, and strict action will be initiated against anyone found indulging in such activities. The health minister also highlighted that to date, a total of 3.17 lakh licences and registrations were issued to the food business operators. He also emphasised the need for balanced diets and informed dietary choices, urging the FDA to intensify public education campaigns on nutrition and govt health initiatives. He appealed to Punjabis to adopt the "Eat Right, Stay Healthy" approach and contribute to building a healthier and nutritionally secure Punjab. MSID:: 123143439 413 |
Time of India
30-07-2025
- Health
- Time of India
Punjab government assures implementation of security by August 19
Chandigarh: Facing mounting pressure from the Punjab Civil Medical Services Association (PCMSA), the state govt has pledged to fulfil a raft of demands from the medical fraternity — including deploying security at all public health facilities and implementing key service benefits — by August 19. Tired of too many ads? go ad free now The assurances came after a high-level meeting on Monday between PCMSA representatives and principal secretary for health Kumar Rahul. The agreement marks a significant breakthrough in negotiations that followed weeks of protests and warnings from govt doctors. PCMSA president Dr Akhil Sarin confirmed that the govt had "agreed unequivocally" to several core demands, including the enforcement of security arrangements in hospitals and rollout of the Modified Assured Career Progression (MACP) scheme. The state also committed to rationalising postgraduate (PG) allowances for specialists who completed their degrees before 2016 — including those prior to 2001 — and issuing revised SOPs for VVIP medical duties. Other commitments include rectifying pay discrepancies for the 2020 Covid-19 batch, streamlining MACP notifications and allowance rationalisations with the finance department, and clarifying accountability for data preparation among subordinate staff. The govt also agreed to revise fund allocation instructions for senior medical officers (SMOs) to purchase non-essential (non-EDL) drugs, ensure pay protection for regular medical officers (RMOs) merged into the PCMS cadre, and consider digital processing of NOCs, probation clearances, and MACPs via the i-HRMS portal. Additional administrative upgrades promised include the procurement and outsourcing of vehicles for civil surgeons and programme officers, a payment system for legal drafting, and fair allocation of interns, foreign medical graduates (FMGs), and DRPs across institutes. Five PCMSA members will be on a govt committee to oversee PCMS cadre's restructuring — a long-standing demand of the association. The PCMSA will hold a general body meeting on Aug 17 to evaluate progress on these assurances. Dr Sarin cautioned the govt against reneging on its commitments.
Hindustan Times
29-07-2025
- Health
- Hindustan Times
Punjab govt promises action after doctors set deadline for security at hospitals
The state government and the Punjab Civil Medical Services Association (PCSMA), a government doctors' body, on Monday held a meeting to discuss security arrangements at government hospitals and health facilities across the state. Hopefully, the government will not compel doctors to protest once again. We will wait until August 17, when we will hold our general body meeting to decide the future course of action if our demands are not met, says Doctors' body The meeting was held against the backdrop of the doctors' body giving the state government time till August 19 to fulfil their demand of providing security at government health facilities. The meeting was held with Kumar Rahul, principal secretary, health department, in Chandigarh. After the meeting, PCMSA state president Dr Akhil Sarin said, 'It has been nearly one full year since the implementation of the security framework was announced. But nothing has happened on the ground. We have again been assured by the Punjab health department that our demands will be fulfilled by August 19. Hopefully, the government will not compel doctors to protest once again. We will wait until August 17, when we will hold our general body meeting to decide the future course of action if our demands are not met.' In September last year, PCMSA had set off a massive protest to press for their demands, including security of health care professionals, regular recruitment of medical officers and assured career progression (ACP). The protest was called off only after the Punjab government had given assurance of security at all the 24x7 healthcare centres within a week. Sources, privy to the discussion during the meeting, said that the doctors were told that the finance department was reluctant to give approval to the proposal of hiring security guards. 'It has been learned that the Punjab health department might initially get approval to provide security at 23 district hospitals, while security arrangements at sub-divisional hospitals and community health centres (CHCs) would be provided later on. Our earlier proposal was not accepted by the finance department. We are slated to hold another meeting with the finance department over this issue,' a senior official of the health department said, pleading anonymity.
Time of India
12-07-2025
- Health
- Time of India
PHANA welcomes govt initiative for universal health coverage in Pb
Ludhiana: Punjab's Private Hospitals and Nursing Homes Association (PHANA) Saturday wholeheartedly welcomed the govt's initiative to implement universal health coverage in the state, as per WHO guidelines. Tired of too many ads? go ad free now It said this step can truly be a game changer for residents of the state as well as hospitals and nursing homes. "Earlier hospitals would face serious challenges due to delayed payments and other operational hurdles. However, since the proactive involvement of principal health secretary Kumar Rahul, many long-standing issues were resolved, and the scheme is now moving steadily towards improvement," said PHANA president Dr Vikas Chhabra and its state honorary secretary Dr Divyanshu Gupta. PHANA Punjab stated that it and the IMA Ayushman core committee have been holding regular meetings with the principal health secretary and the CEO of the state health agency. As a result, many of our pending payments were cleared, and the overall implementation process has gained momentum, it added. "We have submitted a few key demands to the govt to ensure the smooth and viable execution of the scheme. The govt has positively assured us that the interests of all stakeholders will be protected while drafting the MoU," it said. PHANA also mentioned that one major step forward is the assurance to implement HBP 2.2 rates, which are the latest package rates. "These rates are more practical and viable for small hospitals and nursing homes and will help make the scheme sustainable for them," it said. PHANA further stated that another crucial aspect is the guarantee of timely payments, and the govt has assured it that this issue will also be addressed to ensure smooth cash flow and uninterrupted services to patients. "Small hospitals and nursing homes stand committed to working hand in hand with the govt for the successful rollout of this universal health scheme, provided the stakeholders' interests are safeguarded," PHANA said.
