More than 30,000 National Health Mission workers strike for higher salaries

As many as 30,053 National Health Mission (NHM) workers went on strike from Thursday demanding salaries on par with permanent staff of health department. Bengaluru has the highest number of NHM workers at 2,464 followed by Belagavi 1,737, Ballari 1,464, Hassan 1,404, and Kalaburagi 1,398.

These five districts were the most affected because of the unavailability of services of MBBS doctors, specialists like anaesthetists, paediatricians, physicians and staff nurses among others like lab technicians, midwives and pharmacists.

Billing counters of the district hospital in Tumakuru were crowded because of lack of staff. NHM Director Arundathi Chandrashekar issued a pre-emptive circular to the staff on Wednesday saying that strict action will be taken against those not attending work. Also, no leaves are to be granted to the contract workers and that Covid-19 related reports need to be submitted. But the staff continued with the strike.

Dr Keshavraju G, Reproductive and Child Health Officer (RCHO), Tumakuru, said, "We have 24/7 services in taluk hospitals and primary health centres that is manned by staff nurses. In their absence, delivery and continuity of services becomes difficult. We have substituted them with field staff like junior health assistants for now. They are trained in midwifery. But we can manage for two days. This cannot be a long term arrangement. It takes time to substitute for all of their posts."

The doctor said for a primary health centre to provide round-the-clock services, there are three staff nurses deployed, two of whom are from NHM. Now with only one permanent staff nurse remaining, the centre cannot run 24/7. In all, there are 48 PHCs in Tumakuru district that provide delivery assistance.

NHM staff at various levels comprise teams under programmes like Rashtriya Bal Swasthya Karyakram. "In Kunigal, Sira and Pavgada, we have an obstetrician, anaesthetist, and AYUSH doctors from NHM. Billing counters are also manned by data entry operators from NHM. Hence, in their absence, crowding will happen. In all, there are around 800 NHM workers in our district," he added.

Vishvaradya H Yamoji, President of Karnataka State Health and Medical Education Department Contractual and Outsourced Employees Association (KSHCOEA), said, "The NHM Director has directed to take action instead of addressing our demands. This shows the inhumane approach of the department. During Covid, the staff have dedicated themselves and worked on very low salaries, risking their families. Many of our employees have came in contracted Covid-19 and few of our employees have also sacrificed their lives. Such negligence is condemnable."