Haryana enforces ESMA as govt doctors announce indefinite strike from December 10
PTC Web Desk: Haryana’s healthcare system slipped into crisis on Tuesday after government doctors announced an indefinite strike starting December 10, prompting the state government to invoke the Haryana Essential Services Maintenance Act (ESMA) and prohibit any strike action for six months.
In an official notification issued by the General Administration Department’s Political-II Branch, the Governor of Haryana said any strike by doctors or Health Department staff would “gravely affect public health and essential medical services.” The order aims to ensure uninterrupted patient care, especially for critically ill patients. The ban will remain effective for six months from the date it is published in the Official Gazette.
Copies of the ESMA order have been sent to divisional commissioners, deputy commissioners, police authorities, and key departments for immediate implementation to ensure that essential services remain functional across the state.
Doctors move towards indefinite strike; hunger strike also planned
After observing a two-day strike on December 8 and 9, the doctors’ association met on Tuesday and decided to escalate their agitation. It was decided that an indefinite strike would begin from December 10 and a hunger strike could also be initiated if their demands remain unaddressed.
Healthcare services hit across state
The strike has already begun affecting routine and emergency services across several districts.
In Mahendragarh, a six-year-old girl’s postmortem could not be conducted due to the absence of doctors, forcing authorities to shift the body to Narnaul. At Panchkula Civil Hospital, patients waited for hours as no doctors were available. In Hisar, a youth injured in an accident reached the civil hospital but did not receive treatment because no doctor was present. At Kaithal Civil Hospital, a woman who came for an abdominal ultrasound was turned away after staff informed her that the doctor was on leave. When she asked whether the doctor would be available the next day, staff said they could not confirm.
Section 163 imposed in 6 districts
Fearing law and order issues and administrative disruption due to the agitation, authorities have imposed Section 163 in Bhiwani, Karnal, Jhajjar, Hisar, Fatehabad and Gurugram. This prohibits any kind of protest, demonstration or public gathering related to the strike.
Three major demands of doctors are stop direct recruitment of SMOs, equal promotion as Centre and demand to increase grade pay.
- PTC NEWS
