Employees shut down hospital in Jiribam, locals in a bind
Source: The Sangai Express

Jiribam, January 08 2018: The employees of the 50- bedded hospital in Ningshingkhun, Jiribam have shut down the hospital indefinitely today, following the failure of the authority concerned to release the six month worth salaries of the employees.

The employees, earlier launched a pen-down strike from January 5 following which they warned to shut down the hospital if the authority concerned failed to distribute their salaries.

The employees staged a sit in protest in front of hospital holding placard reading "We want our outstanding salaries", "Provides salaries of hospital staffs as earliest", "We have a family who depends up on us" etc.

Employees shut down hospital in Jiribam, locals in a bind

The emergency services and causality of the only hospital in Jiribam, which were open even during the pen down strike, remained closed.

The locals who came at the hospital had to return without any medical assistance.

The employees stated they have been conducting their duty thinking about the necessity and importance of the health sector towards the people, however, the State Government and the authority concerned have not given proper attention to the needs of the hospital staff.

Meanwhile, a press release issued by convenor of monitoring committee, CHC, Jiribam stated that the shutting down of the hospital has caused immense grievances to the people since the hospital is the sole health centre in Jiribam.

Considering the lack of proper medical facilities in Jiribam at present, the locals have been demanding specialists, doctors, laboratory and other facilities at the hospital, and the drastic step of the employees to halt their service is condemnable and an invitation of dispute to the people, it stated.

It sought the attention of the authority concerned to look into the matter and take necessary steps for the welfare of the people.

The committee further urged the authority concerned to negotiate with the hospital employees and release their pending salaries at the earliest.

It further stated that the committee along with the locals and CSOs will be compelled to launch stringent stir if the protest of the employees continues.