Season for diseases on, Govt naps
Source: The Sangai Express
Imphal, July 18 2012:
Even as the peak season of vector borne diseases in the State is on, multipurpose health workers who are supposed to take an active role in the prevention and control of vector borne diseases are being left in the lurch by the State Government.
Peeved with the callous attitude of the Government, Multipurpose Health Workers Association has decided to picket the offices of District Malaria Offices and State Malaria Office if the State Government fails to listen to the grievances of the workers by July 30 .
Speaking to reporters in a press conference held at Keishampat today, Multipurpose Health Workers Association president RK Dhaneshwor lamented that the State Government neither take any initiative to extend the service of the workers who are on contract basis nor provide required medicines and chemicals at health centres and offices concerned.
Apart from this negligence, he added, salary of the workers from October last year has not been cleared till date.
Dhaneshwor added that 100 multipurpose health workers were engaged by the State Government in February 2009 for the successful implementation of National Vector Borne Diseases Control Programme.
However, no action has been initiated yet by the Health Commissioner, Health Director and State Mission Director although the Government of India has directed the State Government to extend the service period of the workers from February 2012 .
State Malaria Officer has also turned a blind eye to the demands of the workers, he complained.
At this juncture, Dhaneshwor alleged, mosquito nets of the common people are being treated in expired chemicals in some areas of Imphal East district.