Contractual NHM staff threaten cease work stir
Source: The Sangai Express
Imphal, June 26 2020:
Amid the rising number of COVID-19 cases in the State, the All Manipur National Health Mission Employees Welfare Association (AMNEWA) has warned of a cease work strike from July 1 if authorities concerned do not deliberate on the issue of regularisation of contractual staff of the National Health Mission (NHM) Manipur.
Speaking to media persons during a press meet today, AMNEWA secretary, Kh Jodha said the association had submitted a memorandum to the Chief Minister on June 19 and fixed June 30 as the deadline for the Government to act on the demand for regularisation of the NHM staff.
Stating that the association has not received any positive response from the Government and authorities concerned till today, Jodha said the staff of the NHM are serving in various sectors of healthcare system since 2006 in Manipur.
The NHM has more than 2,300 staff posted at all the health centres in the State.
Even though the contractual staff are providing the same service as the regular staff, Jodha said there is a huge difference in the salary/honorarium drawn by the regular staff and NHM staff.
Asserting that the grievances of the NHM staff and their demand for regularisation have not been deliberated and considered by the State Cabinet till today, Jodha lamented that the contractual staff of other Departments who joined after 2015 have already been regularised.
Citing examples, Jodha said contractual staff of RMSA/SSA, RD&PR, DRDA have been absorbed by their respective Departments except the NHM staff.
Expressing disappointment towards the Health and Family Welfare Department, Jodha claimed that trained and experienced NHM staff are not given any preference whenever vacancies arise.
Few of the staff have already crossed the age limit and they cannot appear in any other recruitment.
"The fate of more than 2,300 staff is uncertain if the NHM is discontinued," Jodha said.
Commenting on the role of the NHM staff amid the COVID-19 pandemic, Jodha said the staff are working day and night in quarantine centres, at isolation wards, screening points at Mao, Jiribam and ISBT Khuman Lampak.
They are engaged in COVID-19 control rooms, care services, screening works, sample collection, listing/date entry of returnees, online submission/confirmation of cases in the Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) portal and other areas.
Moreover, as healthcare professionals and responsible citizens, they have donated one-day honoraria amounting to Rs 11,65,060 towards the Chief Minister's COVID-19 Relief Fund, said Jodha.
Seeking the attention of the Chief Minister and authorities concerned for regularisation of the NHM staff, Jodha said they will be forced to take up stringent agitation including cease work from July 1 if their concerns are not heard and addressed by the end of the month.