*DHS pledges renewed efforts to secure funding for incentives
Govind Sharma
JAMMU, Aug 11: Despite being promised three years ago, the special financial incentives meant for the COVID-19 frontline workers in Health Department remain undelivered, even as similar benefits have already been provided to frontline staff in the Government Medical Colleges of Jammu and Srinagar.
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Official sources informed Excelsior that the Health and Medical Education (H&ME) Department, through its Order Number 360-JK (HME) of 2021, issued on May 4, 2021, had sanctioned financial incentives for those frontline health workers who directly engaged with COVID-19 patients. These incentives were intended as a reward for their invaluable service during the pandemic’s most challenging periods.
As per the order, Rs 10,000 per month was fixed as financial incentive for Resident Doctors/PGs as well as Medical Officers, Rs 7000 for Paramedical and Nursing staff, and Rs 5000 for Drivers as well as Class IV workers (Nursing Orderlies/Sweepers). These incentives were designated for the peak period of the pandemic, covering three months starting from May 2021.
However, even after more than three years, these incentives have yet to be disbursed to the eligible health department workers. In stark contrast, the same incentives were released long ago for their counterparts at the Government Medical Colleges of Jammu and Srinagar.
Expressing frustration, a Medical Officer, who requested anonymity, shared, “We have submitted numerous representations to the Director of Health Services over the past two years, only to receive empty promises. It has been three years since we risked our lives on the frontline, putting ourselves and our loved ones in danger. We never hesitated and gave our all. We were assured of these incentives, but it is disheartening to see that our contributions have been overlooked by the authorities who have denied us what was rightfully ours.”
An ambulance driver from the Health Department in Jammu echoed similar sentiments. “The COVID-19 crisis was a time when even close relatives distanced themselves from patients, yet we, as frontline workers, did not hesitate to risk our lives and performed our duties with unwavering dedication. Some of our colleagues even made the ultimate sacrifice in the fight against the virus. It is disheartening that the Government of J&K seems to have forgotten our services, as evidenced by the fact that, even after three years, these promised incentives have not been released,” he lamented.
When contacted, Director Health Services Jammu, Dr Rakesh Magotra, acknowledged the delay. He explained that the issue had been raised with higher authorities, including the Director Finance, by the then Director Health, Dr Renu Sharma, back in 2021. However, due to lack of funds, the proposal could not be finalized. Dr Magotra assured that renewed efforts are being made to address the matter. He stated that, following recent representations from doctors and other health workers, the Department is preparing a new proposal, detailing the number of beneficiaries, which will soon be submitted to the authorities for the allocation of funds.
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