Port Blair, Jun 30: Mr. Abdul Rehman President of Indian Reporters Association has written a letter to the Chief Secretary, A& N Administration regarding delay in payment of monthly wages of staff working under National Health Mission.
In his letter, the President IRA pointed out that the the Frontline Health Workers i.e. Doctors, Staff Nurse and other paramedical staffs are those directly providing lifesaving care and treatment services where they are most needed, especially in remote and rural areas.
“And now in this COVID situation, they work day and night fearlessly risking their life and family are still waiting for their salaries from last three (03) months” he added.
Mr. Rehman further mentioned that the Government of India had started National Rural Health Mission to improve rural health which is now updated to National Health Mission. Under this Mission, several Doctors, Nurses and the Para-medical staff are serving their best for the welfare of the people since long time. During this present situation of Covid-19, the frontline workers are giving their best wherever posted in the Islands and moreover it is grim situation that they are not paid timely which is affecting their livelihood and families.
The President of IRA said that the National Health Mission in the islands have State Health Society and 3 District Health Societies and as per sources the State Health Society never sends the budget proposal on time to the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare which is the reason being delayed to release the funds. It is to also inform here that District Health Society submit their budget proposals on proper time but the State Health Society takes several months to send the same to Ministry NHM has never faced any issues regarding insufficient fund in past years.
“But now this is happening due to the negligence of the existing staff of State Health Society. Further as per the sources, it has been informed that the State Programme Manager (SPM) is taking personal interest to hike the salaries of his lovable stall; one of them is State Finance Manager (SFM) whose salary was hiked from Rs.35000/- to Rs.45000/- in just 5 to 6 months” the President added.
The State Finance Manager been changed many times because SPM never allowed any person to survive in the seat of SFM who do not follow his directions. Inspite of serving day and night in any situation, the front line health workers salaries has never been hiked apart from annual increment of 5%. Many paramedical staff after giving their service for more than 5 years in all adverse situations still their payment is not more than Rs.25000, the president, IRA pointed out.
Mr. Rehman, the president further requested to do needful for the staff of NHM so that the payment which is delayed from last 03 months is paid to them at the earliest to fulfill daily needs of the family who are solely dependent on them.
