PGI staff threaten stir on May 3

Tribune News Service

Chandigarh, April 26

A serious manpower crisis is staring at the face of the authorities of the PGI as nearly 4,000 members of the PGI Contract Workers Union have threatened to observe a strike on May 3.

The strike will adversely affect the health and hygiene on the hospital premises as a majority of the union members working on contract are safai sewaks. Besides, staff of the medical records department, lift operators, clerical staff, hospital administration and drivers will also observe  a strike.  

Dev Raj, general secretary of the employees’ union, said, “The PGI authorities are not caring two hoots to the notification of the government issued in December 2014 wherein it has been stated that the services of all contractual employees should be regularised.”

He said representatives of the union had made efforts to meet the PGI authorities, but the latter were not paying heed to their repeated requests. “We have been forced to take such a step as the authorities are not addressing our grouse,” said Dev Raj. The patients will face a lot of inconvenience  if the matter is not resolved.

Despite repeated attempts, the PGI Director, Prof Jagat Ram, was not available for comments.

New MRI, CT scan machines soon

In a move  that will provide a major respite to hundreds of patients who have to stand in long queues in front of the MRI counter at the New OPD of the PGI, the authorities have decided to install a new MRI machine to cater to the growing rush of patients. Similarly, a CT scan machine will also be installed in the emergency for speedy testing of patients. Dr N Khandelwal, Professor and Head, Department of Radiodiagnosis, said the new MRI machine would be equipped to conduct standing spine test, hip, wrist, elbow and all small joint tests.