Mass retirement puts Health Department in a fix

Tribune News Service

Bathinda, October 4

Health Department’s efforts to contain Covid-19 spread in the district got a major setback with the retirement of more than 65 staff members, including pharmacists, staff nurses, clerical staff, drivers and Class-4 employees.

While the number of positive cases is on the rise and death toll is going up, the district Health Department, which is already grappling with staff shortage, now faces even bigger challenge of containing the pandemic and at the same time rendering quality medical services at the Civil Hospital and other health centres.

A senior functionary in the Health Department said with staff members getting relieved in one go, the existing staff would be burdened with extra workload now.

Dr Amrik Singh Sandhu, Civil Surgeon, Bathinda, said, “In the wake of Covid-19 spread, staff members whose retirements were due in March and afterwards this year, was stalled (extension) and now they have been relieved of their services. Around 65 to 70 staff members from different units have been relieved on September 30 and numbers of retirement are likely to increase in the coming days. Though it will put an additional burden on the existing staff, the hiring process has already been started. Meanwhile, we will be getting in touch with the higher authorities to state our demands in terms of requirements.”

Jagdeep Singh Virk, president, Pharmacy Officers’ Association, said, “As many as 15 pharmacy officials have been relieved of their services recently which will put additional burden on the existing workers.”