Punjab: One-day strike cripples health services, CM to hold meeting with IMA on June 26

CHANDIGARH: One-day strike called by Punjab chapter of Indian Medical Association (IMA) crippled the health services – both outpatient departments (OPDs) and emergency services -- at private hospitals in Punjab.
All the private health facilities remained closed on Tuesday in protest against the decision of the government to enforce the controversial Clinical Establishment Act by way of ordinance. Patients unaware of the strike had to face inconveniences as they reached hospitals only to return back. The private health sector caters to about 70% of the population of the state.
Holding the government responsible for inconveniences caused to patients, IMA maintained that the unwanted situation has arisen due to negligence on part of the government and demanded that it should immediately defer the implementation of the Act and engage in talks with them.
Dr Paramjit Mann, general secretary, IMA, Punjab stated that the new regulation was brought in hurry without taking IMA Punjab, the biggest stakeholder, into confidence. “We had submitted memorandums to the government through elected representatives and deputy commissioners demanding immediate withdrawal but the government ignored our demands. It seems that the government has become insensitive and is least bothered about the health of people,” said Dr Mann.
While defending the decision to go on strike amidst Covid-19 outbreak, Dr Mann said, “In such a situation we were left with no alternative than to shut down our hospitals to wake the government out of deep slumber. Even if now the government fails to meet our genuine demands, we will be forced to escalate the agitation which we are not in favour of due to the Corona pandemic.”
Under pressure to resolve the issues, the state government has reached out to IMA and Punjab chief minister Captain Amarinder Singh will hold a meeting with them on June 26.