The Forum of Resident Doctors (FORD), Punjab, announced on Monday the end of its state-wide strike following a meeting with senior government officials, including Cabinet ministers Harpal Singh Cheema and Dr Balbir Singh.
According to a statement issued by FORD, the meeting, held at the Punjab Civil Secretariat, lasted over four hours and included participation from senior bureaucrats such as Kumar Rahul, Principal Secretary, Medical Education and Research; and Alok Shekhar, Finance Secretary.
The doctors’ body claimed that the Punjab government agreed to their key demands, including the constitution of a committee to review and suggest reforms aimed at making medical education fees more affordable. The association also alleged that the government committed to increasing stipends for both MBBS and MD students.
FORD representatives who attended the meeting included Dr Raman Deep Singh, Dr Akshay Seth, Dr Milan, Dr Mehtab Singh Bal, Dr Gurjeet Singh Saini, Dr Darshdeep Singh, and Dr Gurbhagat Singh Virk.
“In light of these significant developments, we have decided to call off the ongoing strike,” the association said in its statement. It further announced that all OPD and hospital services would resume from July 1.
The association expressed gratitude to the state government for what it described as a “constructive engagement,” and stated that the outcome reflected a shared commitment to improving medical education and healthcare services in the state.
The doctors had earlier alleged that Punjab has among the highest MBBS fees in the country while offering among the lowest stipends, prompting the statewide protest.