Healthcare services across Jammu and Kashmir faced mounting pressure as National Health Mission employees’ indefinite strike entered its seventh consecutive day on Tuesday, with demonstrations spreading from district hospitals to block-level health centres.
The agitation, launched as a 72-hour protest on September 9 and subsequently extended, has severely disrupted routine medical services. At District Hospital Ramban, ENT, Physiotherapy, and Dental departments operating under the Rashtriya Bal Swasthya Karyakram faced significant disruptions, though emergency services continued through available staff. Rural and remote areas, where NHM personnel form the backbone of healthcare delivery, have been hit hardest.
Workers’ Key Demands
Protesting workers, operating under the banner of the UT Level Coordination Committee of NHM Employees J&K and the NHM Employees Association J&K, are pushing for a comprehensive set of demands. These include a formal regularization policy, implementation of Equal Pay for Equal Work, job and social security guarantees, golden handshake options, retirement benefits, EPF coverage for eligible categories, salary revisions with timely disbursements, and loyalty benefits for employees who were left out of previous arrangements.
Rohit Seth, president of the NHM Employees Association Jammu, led demonstrations in Gandhi Nagar and Akhnoor, asserting that contractual workers were demanding recognition after years of service.
“We are not seeking favours. We are seeking justice, dignity, job security, and a concrete solution to our long-pending demands. Mere assurances are no longer sufficient,” Seth stated, adding that employees were demanding a written and time-bound commitment from authorities.
Dr Hamid Parray, chief spokesperson for the All JKNHMEA Jammu Division, pointed to mounting frustration among staff serving in difficult terrains across the union territory. Reaffirming the association’s commitment to peaceful democratic struggle under provincial president Dr Vikas Sharma, Dr Parray appealed for unity among employees while urging the government to engage in meaningful dialogue.
The associations have directly appealed to Chief Minister Omar Abdullah and Health Minister Sakeena Itoo, along with the Lieutenant Governor’s administration, to intervene and resolve the crisis.