Tura, June 6: Scores of health workers engaged under the National Health Mission (NHM) across the state have appealed to the health authorities to intervene and ensure the immediate release of salaries that have remained unpaid for the past two months.
In a representation submitted to the government, IDSP/NHM staff highlighted that the prolonged delay in salary payments has severely affected not only their livelihoods but also their ability to carry out essential field duties. According to the employees, many field workers are unable to afford fuel expenses for official travel, hampering disease surveillance and health monitoring activities.
The staff pointed out that field reporting has witnessed a significant decline in recent weeks, largely due to the inability of personnel to undertake field visits. “Whenever the issue of low reporting is raised, staff members cite the lack of funds to purchase fuel for field trips as the primary reason,” the representation stated. The recent increase in fuel prices has further aggravated the situation.
Apart from delayed salaries, NHM workers also claimed that mobility support and reimbursement payments have not been released because of a shortage of funds, adding to their financial burden.
The employees stressed that NHM personnel have consistently worked towards improving health indicators in the state and strengthening surveillance of communicable diseases. However, they said that the continued delay in wages and support payments is adversely affecting the delivery of crucial healthcare services.
Expressing concern over the situation, the affected workers warned that if the issue remains unresolved, field-based health surveillance activities across the state could come to a complete standstill. They urged the government to address the matter urgently before it disrupts the functioning of the public health system.
Meanwhile, despite their grievances, the NHM employees participated in a cleanliness drive in Tura on Thursday to mark World Environment Day. As part of the initiative, staff members carried out cleaning activities along a route covering the District Medical and Health Office, Children’s Park, the Deputy Commissioner’s Office, the Superintendent of Police’s Office, and the thoroughfare leading to Embee Rosebud School.
