TB staff on strike, seek regular jobs

Tribune News Service

Ludhiana, November 26

National Health Mission (NHM) employees working in the tuberculosis department of the Civil Hospital here have been on strike for 10 days, demanding regular jobs.

The strike has put TB patients at the receiving end, as they are facing difficulty in getting medicines. The sampling work has also been hit.

The only permanent lab technician in the department is bogged down with work. Though an NGO is helping the department in carrying out the routine work, it is not enough.

Urban health centres in Sahnewal, Basti Jodhewal, Salem Tabri, Laddowal, Payal, Manupur and Khanna are closed. Not a single permanent employee is appointed at these centres. A patient had gone to the Manupur centre twice to get his test done. On both occasions, he found the centre closed.

District TB Officer Dr Ashish Chawla said, “More than 100 patients visit the Civil Hospital every day. How can we manage the affairs in the absence of the staff?”

Govt’s effigy burnt

Bathinda: Members of the NHM Joint Front Punjab on Friday carried out a protest march from the local Civil Hospital to the bus stand and burnt the state government's effigy. They raised slogans against the government and blocked the Bathinda-Mansa highway. TNS