Jammu: Under the banner of the UT Level Coordination Committee of NHM Employees J&K, National Health Mission employees across Jammu & Kashmir today observed the third and final day of the 72-hour strike-cum-protest, with continued participation and solidarity from employees belonging to various NHM programmes and categories.
However, in view of the absence of any positive response or concrete assurance from the Govt and concerned authorities towards the long-pending demands of NHM employees, the UT Level Coordination Committee has unanimously decided to extend the ongoing strike-cum-protest for a further 72 hours across both Jammu and Kashmir Divisions.
The decision was taken by the UT Level Coordination Committee after carefully assessing the prevailing situation and the response received from the Govt and concerned authorities. The Committee reiterated that despite years of dedicated service to the healthcare system of Jammu & Kashmir, the genuine concerns of NHM employees regarding job security, social security and other service-related issues continue to remain unresolved.
The protests continued at District and Block Headquarters across Jammu Division under the leadership of Provincial President, All JKNHMEA Jammu Division, Dr. Vikas Sharma, while NHM employees across Kashmir Division also continued their participation in the ongoing agitation under the leadership of Provincial President Kashmir Division Mr Muneer Ahmed Andrabi, besides UT President NTEP J&K Mr Musadiq Rafiq Parra.
NHM employees including Doctors, Paramedical and Management Staff, besides employees associated with NTEP and other NHM schemes, participated in the protest programmes across the Union Territory.
On the third day of the agitation, employees once again raised their long-pending demands, including a comprehensive job policy, job security, golden handshake, retirement and social security benefits, EPF coverage for all eligible categories, loyalty benefits for left-out NHM employees, and other genuine service-related issues.
The Committee stated that the extension of the strike is not a decision taken lightly, but has become necessary in view of the absence of any concrete and positive response from the Govt. The employees maintained that the agitation is aimed at seeking a dignified and secure future for thousands of NHM employees who have rendered years of service to the public healthcare system of Jammu & Kashmir.
Chief Spokesperson, All JKNHMEA Jammu Division, Dr. Hamid Parray, said that the decision of the UT Level Coordination Committee to extend the agitation reflects the continued determination of NHM employees to pursue their genuine demands through democratic and peaceful means.
“We had hoped that the Govt and concerned authorities would come forward with a positive and concrete response during these 72 hours. Unfortunately, no satisfactory resolution has emerged so far. Therefore, the UT Level Coordination Committee has decided to extend the agitation by another 72 hours.”
Dr. Parray further said “We want dialogue, not confrontation. We want a concrete solution, not repeated assurances. NHM employees have served the people of Jammu & Kashmir for years, often in difficult and far-flung areas. We are only seeking job security, social security and a dignified future.”
He appealed to the Govt to treat the extension of the agitation as an opportunity to initiate meaningful dialogue and take concrete steps towards resolving the long-pending issues.
Chief Spokesperson, All JKNHMEA Kashmir Division, Abdul Rauoof, said that the decision to extend the strike for another 48 hours was taken collectively by the UT Level Coordination Committee after considering the situation across both divisions.
“This is a collective decision of the UT Level Coordination Committee representing NHM employees across Jammu and Kashmir. The employees have demonstrated immense patience and restraint, but the absence of a concrete response has left us with no option but to continue our democratic agitation for another 48 hours.”
Abdul Rauoof said that the demands of NHM employees are genuine, longstanding and directly linked with their livelihood, dignity and future.
“We have given our best years to the health sector of Jammu & Kashmir. We have worked during difficult circumstances, in remote and far-flung areas and during challenging public health situations. We are not demanding anything unreasonable. We are seeking a comprehensive job policy, job security, social security and a dignified future for NHM employees.”»
He further appealed to the Govt to utilise the additional 72 hours for meaningful engagement with the UT Level Coordination Committee.
“The extension should not be seen as a confrontation with the Govt. It is a strong message that the issues can no longer be kept pending. Our doors for dialogue remain open, and we urge the Government to come forward with a concrete roadmap for resolution of these long-pending demands.”
The Association reiterated that the agitation is not against the healthcare system or the people of Jammu & Kashmir, but is aimed at drawing the attention of the Govt towards the genuine and long-pending concerns of NHM employees.
The Association maintained that the prolonged agitation has the potential to affect various healthcare activities, particularly in rural, remote and far-flung areas, where NHM employees constitute a significant component of the healthcare workforce. The Govt was therefore urged to take immediate and meaningful steps towards resolving the issues so that normal healthcare services can be restored at the earliest and patient care does not suffer.
The UT Level Coordination Committee once again expressed its readiness for meaningful dialogue with the Govt and concerned authorities and urged them to utilise the additional 72-hour period to initiate concrete measures towards resolution of the long-standing demands.
