CHANDIGARH, Dec 12 — Healthcare services across Haryana returned to normal Friday after government doctors ended their four-day strike, following a written commitment from the state to introduce an Ayushman Bharat–linked incentive scheme.
Doctors resumed duties late Thursday after a meeting between the Haryana Civil Medical Services Association (HCMSA) and Health Minister Arti Singh Rao, joined by senior officials. The talks stretched more than two hours.
“Doctors have resumed their duties after a consensus was reached,” HCMSA treasurer Dr. Deepak Goyal said.
The agreement replaces the modified assured career progression (ACP) scheme — the key trigger for the protest — with a new Ayushman incentive to be designed by a soon-to-be-formed panel. Director General Health Services Manish Bansal said, “The ACP could not be implemented, so a committee will draft the incentive model instead.”
Doctors had earlier suspended work for two days before extending the strike indefinitely. The government responded by invoking the Essential Services Maintenance Act (ESMA) and withholding salaries for the strike period, which will now be counted as leave.
