OPDs closed in Bathinda, patients suffer

Bathinda, June 28

Members of the Joint Punjab Government Doctors’ Coordination Committee observed a pen-down strike and suspended OPD services at the government hospitals in protest against the 6th Pay Commission recommendations.

Doctors also staged a protest at the Civil Hospital and later took out a march to the Finance Minister’s office on Goniana Road, where they submitted a memorandum of demands. Meanwhile, patients visiting from distant villages were at the receiving end, many of whom had to return without being examined.

Dr Gurmail Singh, president, Punjab Civil Medical Services Association (PCMSA), said, “With the 6th Pay Commission recommendations in place our income has decreased instead of increasing.” Since the Finance Minister was not available, Bathinda Congress president (Urban) Arun Wadhawan received the memorandum on his behalf and assured the doctors that he would convey their demands to the government. In Faridkot too, doctors at Guru Gobind Singh Medical College and Hospital in Faridkot observed a daylong strike and blamed the government for the misery of patients. — TNS