Underpaid Health Workers in Border Villages Battle to Make Ends Meet
Tauseef Ahmad
BANDIPORA, June 10: The consultant and volunteer workers in border villages of North Kashmir’s Bandipora district on engaged on meager wages are struggling to meet their daily needs.
Speaking with the Kashmir Despatch, one of the consultant worker Abdul Samad, whose salary is Rs 750 per month said that the health sector here faces shortage of doctors, “I have been appointed here as a consultant worker in 2009 but now I am doing a job of X-Ray technician in NTPC Budgam Tulail.”
He also said that officials are aware that the sub centers and NTPHC in this valley are run by these consultants and volunteers who apart from their work either work as driver, pharmacist or sweeper on the wages of Rs 750 to Rs 1000 per month.
Another volunteer worker said that the officials here make their duty rosters same as meant for doctors while their wages are not more than the one-sided fair of Tulail to Bandipora town. Around 65 volunteer and Consultant workers working in Gurez valley are struggling to meet her daily needs.
“I am about to retire now. I have given 15 years to the health department as a volunteer worker, but I have nothing saved for my family and future. Everyone in harsh winters moves to Bandipora town. I did not join my family last winter as our salaries had not been released by the department.”
The dedicated health workers appealed the government to look into their genuine grievances and resolve it as soon as possible.
Meanwhile, the Health Department officials said that these volunteer workers had been appointed by politicians in past. They also said that the government does not have any scheme to increase their wages.
