Empowered Voices: Mohalla Clinic Staffers Stage Passionate Protest Outside Secretariat for Justice
Mohalla Clinic staffers gathered in protest outside the Delhi Secretariat on Monday, raising concerns over job security amid a potential overhaul of the city’s healthcare landscape. The demonstration featured doctors, nurses, and multi-tasking personnel demanding their integration into the forthcoming Ayushman Arogya Mandirs (AAMs) as fears about their employment future heightened.
The protest was sparked by a recent report from the Comptroller and Auditor General, presented in the Assembly by the BJP, highlighting operational issues within Mohalla Clinics. Currently, Delhi is home to 553 of these clinics, with plans to upgrade just 70 into AAMs, a move that would unfortunately result in the closure of over 250 facilities, according to Health Minister Pankaj Singh.
Starting at 9 a.m. and lasting until noon, the rally drew attention from the staff seeking definitive answers regarding their roles. A group of five doctors attempted to communicate their concerns directly to Chief Minister Rekha Gupta and Health Minister Singh. However, when they found the officials unavailable, they submitted a memorandum to health department representatives instead.
The memorandum expressed that salaries for the past two months had been halted as a means of coercion, with staff being pressured to sign no-dues forms. “Our two months’ salaries have been stopped so that we can be pressured. We are being made to sign no-dues forms,” the document stated, reflecting the frustration of the staff.
The memorandum also emphasized that the employees were initially hired through a government-backed selection process. They urged the government to ensure a seamless transition to AAMs without service interruptions, reiterating Gupta’s previous promise made on May 16, that “no one will be laid off.” Singh echoed this sentiment, asserting last week that “those who are eligible and work hard will not be rendered jobless.”
Despite these assurances, a meeting held on April 17 by the Health Department announced plans to recruit new personnel, leading to widespread unease among current Mohalla Clinic employees. Although the department indicated that existing staff could remain for up to a year or until new hires are made, the protestors felt that no meaningful assurances had been provided.
A 68-year-old doctor voiced concerns about the new eligibility requirements that impose an age limit, stating, “Under the earlier criteria, experienced doctors were given a chance to continue working after retirement. Now, many of us may be left jobless.” He also relayed that officials had acknowledged their memorandum but failed to offer any guarantees regarding job security.
Many clinics remained closed during the protest, with a nurse who has dedicated six years to the Mohalla Clinics mentioning, “There are not enough jobs. If we have been contracted based on our qualifications, we should be retained.” She added that her current day job is crucial for her as a mother, highlighting the challenges posed by potential shifts to night shifts should hospital positions become necessary.
As the situation evolves, the future of Delhi’s Mohalla Clinics hangs in the balance, and the staff’s fight for clarity and stability continues.
Original Source: https://www.thehindu.com/news/cities/Delhi/scores-of-mohalla-clinic-staffers-stage-protest-outside-secretariat/article69650380.ece
Category : Delhi
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Publish Date: 2025-06-03 01:41:00
