Punjab Civil Medical Services (PCMS) doctors are going to observe statewide protest week from March 18 onwards against the alleged callous attitude of the state government regarding their demands.
During a press conference organised at Satluj Club, the members of the PCMS Association shared concern over the vacant posts of doctors in various health institutions.
Addressing the mediapersons, Dr Hardeep Singh, state president of the association, said they had been urging the government to roll back the new PG admission policy.
He said the health department was already facing shortage of doctors, adding that the 252 newly appointed doctors, who refused to join PCMS jobs, had worried the association.
Dr Hardeep said there were 4,500 posts of doctors for general duty and specialists. He said out of 4,500 posts, there were 1,900 posts for specialists, while remaining were for doctors of general duty. He said 26 % posts of general duty) and 38 % of specialists were vacant in various health institutes in the state.
Dr Gagandeep Shergill, general secretary of the association, said chief minister Parkash Singh Badal had directed to lure young doctors to join the PCMS service and stressed upon more incentives for doctors serving in rural areas.
He said the anti-doctor policies of the state government were discouraging doctors for these services. He said according to the new PG admission policy, a doctor had to serve for six years, which had been increased from three years as per previous policy.
{{/usCountry}}He said the anti-doctor policies of the state government were discouraging doctors for these services. He said according to the new PG admission policy, a doctor had to serve for six years, which had been increased from three years as per previous policy.
{{/usCountry}}Dr Hardeep said there should be improved infrastructure in government hospitals as private institutions use advanced machines.
The doctors present on the occasion condemned the callous attitude of the state government and demanded PG increments to all specialists and to roll back new eligibility policy of PG admission.
Dr Hardeep said the agitation would continue till acceptance of their demands, adding that the association would intensify their agitation if Punjab government failed to accept their demands.
The doctors would wear black badges and organise protest meetings to mark the protest week at district and sub-divisional headquarters.