Capt Amarinder assures policy on clinics in residential areas, speedy redressal of other problems ailing doctors, healthcare

Patiala, February 1, 2016: Punjab Congress president Captain Amarinder Singh has assured doctors in the state of speedy resolution of their pending problems, including the formulation of a comprehensive policy, in consultation with the medical fraternity, for regularization of clinical establishments already in operation in residential areas.

A delegation of senior doctors from Patiala on Tuesday night met Captain Amarinder to discuss various issues afflicting the fraternity and sought his support in addressing the same after the formation of his government.

Captain Amarinder assured them that he would set up a doctors’ committee to identify the ways and means to address the issue of medical centres running in residential areas, since that would require change in land usage.

The PPCC president assured the doctors that his government would take adequate measures to prevent assaults on doctors and clinical establishments through stringent enforcement of the necessary legislations and will look into the matter of frivolous FIRs being filed against doctors.

Other issues raised by the delegation included prevention of the misuse of PCPNDT Act, timely cadre review of PCMS doctors to avoid stagnation in promotion and movement into teaching cadre, as well as issues concerning salaries and service conditions of PCMS and contractual doctors.

The doctors are also seeking improvement of working conditions, with time-bound promotions in medical colleges of the state as per MCI guidelines, as well as rationalization of the free structures in medical colleges. They also want revamping of the Punjab Medical Council and improvement in health infrastructure to provide quality and affordable healthcare to the people of the state.

Captain Amarinder assured that his government would look into all these issues and take the necessary measures to improve the medical and healthcare systems in the state.