JAMMU, Sep 17: President of Mission Statehood Jammu and Kashmir Sunil Dimple joined the ongoing protest of National Health Mission (NHM) doctors, paramedical staff and other employees outside the office of the Director Health Services Jammu and CMO office at Shalimar, extending his support to their agitation.
Addressing the protesting doctors, nurses and paramedical staff, Dimple appealed to Union Health Minister J.P. Nadda, J&K Chief Minister Omar Abdullah and Health Minister Sakeena Itoo to initiate dialogue with the striking NHM employees and resolve their demands at the earliest. He said the continuing strike was affecting patients, particularly those dependent on government health facilities.
Dimple demanded implementation of equal pay for equal work for NHM doctors and paramedical employees, stating that many of them serve in far-flung villages and backward areas. He also sought salary parity with NHM employees in other parts of the country, along with retirement benefits and other allowances.
He extended his full support to the NHM employees’ agitation until their demands are addressed. Dimple said he would personally take up the matter with the Chief Minister and Health Minister with the aim of facilitating a resolution to the issue.
Dimple also raised concerns over the working conditions of NHM doctors, including MBBS, BDS and BAMS professionals, as well as paramedical staff, and the condition of hospitals and medical institutions across Jammu and Kashmir.
He claimed that NHM employees in states such as Maharashtra and Rajasthan, as well as in the Union Territory of Ladakh, receive significantly higher salaries than NHM employees in Jammu and Kashmir. He demanded that the government examine these disparities and take appropriate measures.
Dimple further demanded regularisation of NHM employees, pointing out that several doctors and other employees have reportedly been working under the NHM for many years, in some cases for nearly two decades.
He criticised successive governments over what he described as inadequate attention to the concerns of healthcare employees after 2014. He also alleged that sufficient recruitment of dental surgeons and AYUSH doctors had not taken place during the period he referred to.
Among those present and associated with the protest were Dr. Vikas Sharma, Dr. Narain, Dr. Sushant, Dr. Ashish and other medical representatives.
Dimple reiterated that the government should engage with the protesting NHM employees, listen to their grievances and work towards a settlement so that healthcare services and patient care are not further affected.