Srinagar, April 09: With no end in sight to the ongoing strike of government employees, government today directed hospital authorities to ensure best possible medicare following reports of patients leaving the hospitals in view of non-availability of staff. The hospital authorities were directed to ensure best possible medicare facilities in OPD as well in emergency and outsource the sanitation personnel to maintain neat and clean atmosphere in and around the hospitals, a government spokesman said.
About 4.50 lakh government employees went on a strike on April 3 in support of their demand for payment of arrears of 6th pay commission and hike in retirement age to 60. Hospitals and educational institutions were hardiest hit due to strike and patients are leaving the hospitals in view of non-availability of staff and facilities.
Emergency services have been exempted from the purview of the strike. Minister for Medical Education R S Chib visited the major hospitals of Srinagar and took stock of the medicare facilities available in the hospitals both for indoor and outdoor patients in view of employees strike in Srinagar.
During his visit to SMHS, Chib went round various wards, diagnostic labs, operation theatres and other vital units and asked Principal, Government Medical College Srinagar Shahida Mir to ensure that all these units are fully functional to provide all necessary medicare facilities to the needy. Chib said most of the demands of the striking employees have been fulfilled and other genuine demands would also be considered in due course of time when resources would be available with the government.
He said doors are always open for negotiation and employees should resume their duties in the large interest of the people and said that the employees are part of the civic society. The minister appealed the patients to visit the health institutions for necessary medicare as most of the medical staff is attending their duties regularly.
—–PTI