Gurugram, Dec. 9 -- The Haryana Civil Medical Services Association (HCMSA) had announced a two-day statewide strike from Monday against the direct recruitment of senior medical officers (SMOs) in the state. The strike led to chaos across government hospitals and medical facilities in the district, including OPDs, emergency care and operations. Patients seeking treatment at Civil Hospital in Sector 10A said they had to wait for hours outside the hospital's outpatient department (OPD), where trainee doctors and post-graduate medical students were conducting the checkups instead of full-time doctors. "Doctor's absence at the Flu and Skin OPDs forced us to wait for long hours. Patients needed prescriptions for diagnosis and medicine," said Manish Yadav, a patient at the hospital. A doctor, who wished not to be named, said the strike had put an excessive burden on them. "Some doctors who are working have been directed to continue their services in double shifts," the doctor said. Doctors said the direct recruitment of SMOs would risk their career security by limiting the chances of promotions of the existing cadre of doctors. Dr Lokveer Singh, primary medical officer (PMO) at the Civil Hospital said they have roped in trainee doctors and post-graduate students to temporarily replace the protesting ones. As per estimates by the health department, around 122 doctors out of the overall 204 enrolled in government services, are actively participating in the two-day strike....