India, Dec. 10 -- Patients bore the brunt as healthcare services were hit in government hospitals of the state on Wednesday after the Haryana Civil Medical Services Association (HCMSA) extended its strike indefinitely despite the authorities invoking the Essential Services Maintenance Act (ESMA) and ordering deduction of salaries of doctors for the days they remain off duty.

The HCMSA, which has 3,000 members, has been demanding a halt in the direct recruitment of senior medical officers (SMOs) besides implementing the modified assured career progression (ACP) scheme. The association had initially announced a two-day strike on Monday and Tuesday but extended it indefinitely in protest against the non-fulfilment of their demands.

HCMSA p...