STATE TIMES NEWS
JAMMU: Health services were crippled in various health institutions of Jammu region, as health employees under the banner of Jammu Kashmir Medical Employees Federation (JKMEF) observed 3-day pen down strike on second consecutive day on Friday to support the struggle of Female Multipurpose Health Workers (FMPHWs).
The female multipurpose health workers are on strike for last 26 days demanding permanent settlement of Salary Head 2211 and release of their pending salaries.
Almost all the cadres of health employees including ministerial staff, pharmacists, X-Ray technicians, Lab technicians, Ophthalmic technicians, Dental technicians, OT technicians, Driver and Cleaners (SHTO), basic health employees, Class IV employees and employees working under NHM Scheme observed complete strike in respective health institutions.
All the services except emergency were paralysed during the strike at various health institutions in Jammu region.
Out Patient Departments (OPDs) remained shut during the strike in most of the hospitals.
Addressing the protesting female multipurpose health workers here at Madam Shashi Bala Memorial Park, Sushil Sudan, President, JKMEF, said that if the issues of female multipurpose health workers were not settled soon, JKMEF will intensify their strike.
Later, senior Congress leader and former Minister Raman Bhalla also visited the protest venue and extended his full support to protesting FMPHWs for their genuine demands.
Bhalla said that despite protest demonstrations, the government is not bother about the plights of the female health workers. He demanded immediate release of salaries, which have not been paid for the last over 12 months.
Later, Bhalla pleaded their case before Chief Secretary and Divisional Commissioner telephonically who assured him that their issues will be looked into on priority basis.
