BHOPAL: The staffers of 108 ambulances are not ready to return on work until their demands are met. The operating company Ziqitza Healthcare has issued a new recruitment advertisement. The high court has asked the state government about the ongoing workers’ strike on Friday. It may file a reply by Monday.
Trauma and accident hit people are facing a tough time even as the strike entered the third day on Friday. The National Health Mission has pressured the company to resolve the issue. Finding no way out, the company floated the advertisement.
From Friday the workers have intensified their agitation, with one from Gwalior even attempting suicide at the demonstration site. The police have arrested Shyam Sundar Sharma for the suicide bid. Some of the staff have started hunger strike.
Health minister Rustam Singh while talking to the media, claimed the staffs were only thinking about themselves, not having any concern about the trauma affected people, for whom they were given salary. The agitating staffers have decided to move the labour court following the new recruitment and other issues.
‘Unskilled’ paramedical staff at work
The health department has deputed paramedical staff like compounders, multipurpose workers, ward boys and government drivers to operate the 108 ambulances.
This alternative arrangement has hindered the normal working of the department, it already having staff shortage.
Presently the work in health services are task based, like immunisation and other national programmes. These paramedical staffers have to complete their basic work first and then they have to provide their additional services of handling the ambulance service.
Importantly, in the department a large number of technicians’ posts are vacant. Not only this but also these staff are not trained to handle the trauma incidents. Unskilled people are handling the situation in the state.
