Latest news with #PCMSA
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
19-07-2025
- Health
- Time of India
No end to violence at Pb hospitals amid inaction
Chandigarh: With Punjab govt dragging its feet over deploying security personnel at public health facilities, incidents of violence against healthcare professionals continue to rise unchecked, endangering the lives of both medical staff and patients. With no guards in sight, medical professionals say they are left to fend for themselves in emergency wards. The latest, in a series of such alarming episodes, occurred at the sub-divisional hospital (SDH) in Sultanpur Lodhi, Kapurthala, on Friday night when medical staff were forced to flee and lock themselves inside a room to escape a violent mob. The hospital lacked basic security arrangements. The staff feared that it could have been worse if they had not hidden themselves. This disturbing event is not isolated. On July 4, a healthcare worker was grievously injured after being attacked by a patient at SDH, Talwandi Sabo. On July 13, similar incidents of violence were reported at SDH, Zira, and the civil hospital in Kapurthala. On June 30, a patient opened fire inside the emergency ward at the community health centre (CHC) in Kartarpur, sending staff and patients into panic. On May 26, the senior medical officer (SMO) at the civil hospital in Malout was threatened. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Dementia Has Been Linked To a Common Habit. Do You Do It? Brain Health Learn More Undo These back-to-back incidents underline the growing threat to safety within Punjab's public health institutions and highlight the pressing demand for effective, on-ground security infrastructure. Despite repeated appeals by PCMSA and even a statewide doctors' strike last year, the govt's commitment to deploy round-the-clock security at hospitals dealing with medicolegal cases by Sep 9, 2024, remains unfulfilled. While the state health department recently initiated groundwork to implement the Punjab Protection of Medicare Service Persons and Medicare Service Institutions (Prevention of Violence and Damage to Property) Act, 2008, enforcement is yet to begin. Proposals to install CCTV cameras and deploy trained guards remain on paper. PCMSA had proposed a cost-effective model, recommending outsourced guards paid at deputy commissioner wage rates – about Rs 13,500 per month. It suggested deploying 20 guards at district hospitals, six at sub-divisional hospitals, and four at community health centres providing round-the-clock medicolegal services, claiming it would cost just 0.2% of the annual health budget. At a follow-up meeting held on April 17, PCMSA was apprised that following a meeting between health minister Dr Balbir Singh and finance minister Harpal Singh Cheema, it was decided that security personnel would be provided through PESCO. The health department mooted a proposal for the same, but certain queries were raised by the finance department, including details of the list of such incidents in the last two years, along with the action taken in such cases, delaying the progress. PCMSA president Dr Akhil Sarin urged the govt to act without delay. "The current spate of violence is deeply concerning. It is extremely difficult to work under fear. The govt must showcase its political will and act decisively to protect health professionals across the state," he said. Terming the objection as one that is not in sync with the issue at hand, the PCMSA claims it to be a delaying tactic.
Time of India
12-07-2025
- Health
- Time of India
Punjab turns to retired specialists to fix crippling doctor shortage in public hospitals
Chandigarh: With nearly half of Punjab's sanctioned specialist doctor posts lying vacant, state govt has turned to its retired medical workforce in a last-ditch effort to plug widening gaps in public healthcare. In a move both pragmatic and desperate, the health department has invited retired govt doctors to apply for 100 contractual posts of consultants (specialist doctors) across district hospitals, sub-divisional hospitals, and community health centres (CHCs). This recruitment drive comes amid a deepening crisis in Punjab's healthcare system. Of the 2,098 sanctioned specialist posts, 990 (47%) remain vacant. The situation is no better in the general medical officer cadre, where 1,962 of 3,847 posts (51%) are unfilled. Irregular recruitment cycles and growing attrition have compounded the shortage, with previous efforts to hire yielding underwhelming results. In 2022, the state attempted to recruit 634 specialist doctors, but faced a poor response. Recently, out of 170 advertised posts, only 60 doctors joined. Experts attribute this reluctance to factors such as pay disparities, frequent deployment for VVIP duties, and lack of emergency medical staff, which often forces specialists to handle tasks outside their core responsibilities — including post-mortems and emergency coverage. The health department is now banking on the experience of retired PCMS specialists, aged between 58 and 64 years, to fill critical service gaps. The upper age limit for appointment is 65, and applicants must be free of disciplinary proceedings. The 100 consultant posts will be distributed across specialties — 21 in paediatrics, 20 each in obstetrics and gynaecology, and general medicine, 15 in general surgery, 13 in anaesthesia, seven in radiology, and four in psychiatry. Appointments will be on a contractual basis for one year, extendable annually based on performance and departmental approval. Consultants will perform only clinical duties — outpatient, inpatient, and emergency care — and will be exempt from medico-legal, administrative, or post-mortem responsibilities. They will not be allowed to engage in private practice during the contractual period. Applications are being accepted via email from July 12 to 22, with counselling scheduled for July 25 in Chandigarh. Punjab Civil Medical Services Association (PCMSA) president Dr Akhil Sarin described it as a "step in the right direction" toward improving healthcare access for the poor and underserved. He noted that walk-in interviews for an additional 160 specialist posts are also in the pipeline. Dr Sarin added that planned reforms, including the restoration of the modified assured career progression (MACP) scheme and enhanced security measures, which are nearing implementation, could play a crucial role in improving recruitment and retention in the public health cadre. "The govt's renewed focus on reinforcing clinical manpower is encouraging," Dr Sarin said. "If supported with systemic reforms, these measures can significantly ease pressure on public hospitals. " BOXES Under Court Scrutiny The crisis has also caught the attention of the judiciary. The Punjab and Haryana high court, hearing a public interest litigation filed by one Bhisham Kinger of Malerkotla, has directed the principal secretary, health, to submit a detailed affidavit on infrastructure and manpower gaps in govt health facilities. The court has also asked for an update on the status and timeline of the ongoing recruitment process. Pay disparities to blame Experts attribute the reluctance of specialists to join service in Punjab to factors such as pay disparities, frequent deployment for VVIP duties, and lack of emergency medical staff They say this often forces specialists to handle tasks outside their core responsibilities, including post-mortems and emergency coverage Of 2,098 sanctioned specialist posts in Punjab, 990 (47%) remain vacant. The situation is no better in the general medical officer cadre, where 1,962 of 3,847 posts (51%) are unfilled
Hindustan Times
08-06-2025
- Health
- Hindustan Times
Punjab to hire retired doctors to assess quality of health care in govt facilities
In a move aimed at improving health care delivery in government-run facilities, the Punjab government has decided to hire retired doctors to conduct quality assessments. In the circular issued to all civil surgeons – HT has a copy of it – the state health department has invited applications from retired doctors to conduct National Quality Assurance Standards (NQAS) assessments under the National Health Mission (NHM). As per the written orders, these retired professionals will be empanelled to carry out assessments of district hospitals, community health centres, primary health centres (PHCs), Urban PHCs (UPHCs), and sub centres. 'Applicants must have a sound understanding of public health systems. Preference will be given to those having previous experience or training in quality improvement initiatives or NQAS assessments,' reads the health department's letter. Currently, 1,962 (51%) out of the total 3,847 sanctioned posts of general medical officers are lying vacant. A similar situation prevails in the specialist cadre, where 990 (47%) of the 2,098 sanctioned posts are vacant. Meanwhile, the Punjab civil medical services association (PCMSA) said the government should give priority to young doctors in recruitment. Dr Akhil Sarin, state president, PCMSA, said, 'Instead of giving jobs to young doctors, the government is hiring retired doctors. This move by the government is not in the right direction. We demand that young doctors should be given priority in every recruitment.'
