Women observe ‘black Teej’ in Karnal

Tribune News Service

Karnal, August 7

The NHM workers, who have been protesting for regularisation of their jobs since July 26, continued their strike as they observed ‘black Teej utsav’ on Wednesday. They wore black clothes to express their anger against the government.

“We have extended our strike and will not end it till our demands are fulfilled,” said Gopal Sharma, general secretary, Swasthya Karamchari Sangh, Karnal.

The strike has significantly disrupted health services across the districtrict. As employees have been staging a state-level dharna on the premises of the Civil Surgeon’s office in Karnal to press for their demand for regularisation of their jobs. The strike has affected the delivery of essential health services, including those for pregnant women at Community Health Centres (CHCs), Primary Health Centres (PHCs), Sub-Divisional Hospitals, Civil Hospitals and the District Civil Hospital, placing extra pressure on the existing healthcare staff, who are now overburdened.

Ambulance services have been particularly affected with only Haryana Kaushal Rozgar Nigam (HKRN) drivers on duty. Most ambulances are currently operating without emergency medical technicians, who are also on strike, said an official.