Excelsior Correspondent
JAMMU, June 12: Health services were affected in various Government hospitals across Jammu province due to pen/tool down strike observed by Health employees in support of Female Multipurpose Health Workers (FMPHWs) while as emergency services were running smoothly.
The complete pen/tool down strike is being observed by Health employees under the umbrella of Jammu Kashmir Medical Employee Federation (JKMEF) since June 9 in support of Female Multipurpose Health Workers (FMPHWs) for last 29 days for getting their pending salaries and permanent solution of salary issue.
The Health employees of various cadre including Minist-erial Staff, X-Ray Technicians, Pharmacists, Dental Technicians, Ophthalmic Technicians, Basic Health Workers, Lab Technicians, OT Technicians, Drivers and Cleaners (SHTO), Class-IV employees and NHM employees have joined hands and on the call of JKMEF, observed complete strike in all health institutions across Jammu province.
A complete shutdown like situation prevailed in hospitals of Jammu Division except emergency services. All revenue generating counters remained closed, even the OPD slips were not issued. Health Services at Government Hospitals at Gandhi Nagar and Sarwal, LRPU Gangyal and other major/minor health institutions in the Division remained paralyzed. Complete strike was observed thought the Division.
Out Patient Departments (OPDs) remained shut in most of the hospitals as counters of OPD registration slips remained closed while employees, who were earlier staging dharnas in CMO offices, today shifted venue to District Hospitals.
The diagnostic services like ultrasound and X-ray also remain paralyzed. Routine surgeries were cancelled and most of the patients continued to be turned away from the hospitals. However, Gynae surgeries were being conducted and other emergency services were running smoothly in all the hospitals.
The main protest of FMPHWs held at Madam Shashi Bala Memorial Park in Jammu, wherein addressing the protesting workers, JKMEF president, Sushil Sudan, extended their full support to them. He assured them that JKMEF and all its affiliated associations would fight for the cause of FMPHWs till they get justice.
At Reasi, the protest was held in the premises of CMO office Reasi under the chairmanship of district president of JKMEF, Abdul Hamied Bhat. In District Hospital Reasi too, the work in the OPDs, labs and other diagnostic units were badly hit due to employees’ strike.
Meanwhile, All J&K NHM Employees Association, Doda, extended support to agitating FMPHWs. President of the association, Faizan A Tramboo, strongly condemned the brutal police lathi charge on agitating PMPHWs at Kathua in while many female workers got injured. He urged the Government to find out permanent solution of 2211 head and release pending salaries of FMPHWs.
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