As per reports, the following are the latest updates on the Punjab Civil Medical Services Association (PCMSA) issued strike of doctors in Punjab and Chandigarh as of Tuesday (10 September):
• Medical services across the state were hit as work at the out-patient departments (OPDs) remained suspended for the first part of the day at all public health centres on Monday (09 September) in response to the strike call.
• Emergency services and intensive care units remained functional as per their usual capacity.
• Over 2,500 doctors went on three-hour strike to press for their demands that included restoration of the assured career progression scheme (ACP) and security measures at health institutions.
• The strike, however, did not impact services such as post-mortem and medico-legal examinations, court evidence, judicial medical examinations and dispensing daily doses at outpatient opioid treatment centres.
• Doctors at Sangrur Civil Hospital, in addition to the strike, also staged a ‘dharna’ (sit-in protest) at the hospital premises. Furthermore, some patients also reportedly took part in the dharna.
