Haryana Doctors Resume Services After 19 Days
Doctors in Haryana have officially ended their 19-day strike that had severely impacted medical services under the Ayushman Bharat-Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana (AB-PMJAY). The decision came late on August 25, 2025, after successful negotiations with the state government.
Reason Behind the Strike
The strike was triggered by prolonged delays in payments to doctors and hospitals enrolled under Ayushman Bharat. Healthcare workers claimed that pending dues had accumulated, causing disruption in service delivery and financial strain on medical institutions.
Government’s Assurance
The Haryana government assured doctors that all pending payments would be cleared in a time-bound manner. Officials also announced the formation of a monitoring mechanism to ensure that future reimbursements under Ayushman Bharat are processed without delays.
Relief for Patients
The strike had left thousands of patients, especially in rural and semi-urban regions, without access to cashless treatment under the central health scheme. With doctors resuming duty, services at both government and empaneled private hospitals have restarted. Patients who were earlier forced to postpone surgeries and treatments are now being accommodated on priority.
Doctors’ Statement
Representatives of the striking doctors welcomed the government’s intervention. They highlighted that the assurance was a step forward but warned that if payment timelines are not followed, they may be forced to reconsider their decision.
Impact on Healthcare in Haryana
The 19-day strike created a significant backlog in medical procedures, particularly in districts like Rohtak, Hisar, and Ambala. Health activists pointed out that the prolonged disruption exposed systemic issues in fund management and the need for reforms to ensure timely reimbursements under Ayushman Bharat.
Political Reactions
Opposition parties in Haryana criticized the government for allowing the strike to continue for nearly three weeks before intervention. They claimed that the delay highlighted inefficiency in handling crucial healthcare matters. The ruling dispensation, however, defended its position, stating that fiscal and administrative bottlenecks were being addressed.
Looking Ahead
The Haryana Health Department has directed hospitals to prioritize pending surgeries and emergency cases that were delayed due to the strike. The state has also requested the Union Health Ministry to assist in streamlining the reimbursement process under Ayushman Bharat to prevent future crises.
Broader Implications
The incident highlights the dependency of India’s healthcare delivery on schemes like Ayushman Bharat. Experts argue that sustainable funding and timely release of payments are critical to maintaining trust between the government and healthcare professionals.
