A civil hospital assistant sits in an unoccupied doctors’ room amid a nationwide strike by government hospital doctors in Gurugram, Haryana. File | Photo credit: PTI
Government doctors in Haryana intensified their protest on Wednesday (Dec 10, 2025) and extended their strike indefinitely to protest non-fulfilment of their demands, including the implementation of a revised scheme of assured career progression.
The doctors had earlier started a two-day strike from December 8 to 9, which they have now extended indefinitely.
Amid the standoff with protesting doctors, the Haryana government on Tuesday (December 9) evening invoked the Essential Services Maintenance Act (ESMA), which prohibits any strike by government doctors. The state health authority ordered doctors to deduct salaries for the days they were off duty due to the protest.
The strike was initiated on the call of the Haryana Civil Medical Services Association, which represents government doctors in the state.
As a result, health services were affected, including basic diagnostic services, ultrasound and CT scans in many hospitals.
Dr Rajesh Khyalia, president of the Haryana Civil Medical Services Association, said the government had promised to meet their demands a year ago, which included stopping direct recruitment of senior doctors and introducing a modified scheme of assured career progression.
“We are asking the government to fulfill its promise. But rather than fulfilling its promise, it is trying to suppress our voice through ESMA or by issuing letters,” he said.
“Our doctors don’t get promoted. “We don’t understand why the government is pressuring us. Why is it not fulfilling its promise?” he asked.
He further said that three doctors in Panchkula are observing a fast unto death until the demands are met.
Noting that they are ready for dialogue, Khyalia said they have not yet received any invitation from the government for talks.
HCMSA is calling for an end to direct recruitment of SMOs and the introduction of a modified secured career path.
Following the strike, state health authorities have deployed doctors from the National Health Mission, medical colleges, ESIC, consultants and Ajush practitioners to ensure that health services continue without interruption.
Meanwhile, in Ambala and Kurukshetra, the strike did not affect health services much.
Ambala Civil Surgeon Dr. Rakesh Sahal said there are 168 doctors enrolled in Ambala district who were present on Wednesday. He informed that all departments including laboratory, ultrasound and X-ray are working and patients are getting proper medical care.
He further assured that all community health centers and primary health centers were functioning smoothly, adding that the strike had no impact in Ambala.
In Kurukshetra, the strike drew no response and all doctors reported for duty at Lok Nayak Jai Prakash Narain District Hospital.
Chief physician Dr. Sukhbir Singh Mehla said that while 23 of the 124 doctors were absent on Monday (Dec 8), 18 were absent on Tuesday (Dec 9). But not a single doctor missed duty on Wednesday (12/10).
According to him, the health services were functioning smoothly and the patients did not face any inconvenience.
Published – 10 Dec 2025 18:46 IST
