JK, Sept. 12 (ITN) : More than 12,000 health care workers across Jammu and Kashmir extended their strike by an additional 72 hours on Saturday, crippling routine medical services at government hospitals and rural clinics.
The National Health Mission employees, including doctors, nurses, and administrative staff, are demanding wage revisions, social security benefits, and regular employment policies. They have vowed to continue the walkout until the regional administration provides a concrete, written assurance to address their grievances.
The extension marks the second phase of an agitation that began mid-week. Contractual employees represented by the Jammu and Kashmir National Health Mission Employees Association said that successive governments have failed to deliver on repeated promises. Many workers have been employed under temporary contracts for nearly 18 years while performing the same duties as permanent staff.
The prolonged absence of the workforce has forced the health department to redeploy regular, permanent staff to manage emergency wards, labor rooms, and critical operations. Routine out-patient services and field-level immunisation programs, however, remain heavily affected.
The regional health minister acknowledged that some of the workers’ demands are legitimate and urged them to resume their duties while the government reviews the matter.
Members of the public have expressed growing concern over the medical deadlock, warning that extended disruptions will put vulnerable patients at severe risk.
By Mansoor Qadir.
