Excelsior Correspondent
JAMMU, June 14: With support of Jammu Kashmir Medical Employees Federation (JKMEF) and NHM Employees Association (NHMEA), Female Multipurpose Health Workers (FMPHWs) today took out a massive protest rally during which some of them tried to self immolate them.
As the protest dharna of agitating FMPHWs today entered 32nd day, a large number of FMPHWs drawn from various parts of Jammu province along with employees of Health department carrying banners and placards in their hands took out a protest rally under the banner of JKMEF from DHS Complex, Jamm, demanding release of their pending salaries and permanent settlement of Salary Head 2211.
The rally passed through, Indira Chowk and Raghunath Bazaar with FMPHWs raising slogans against the Government as well as in support of their demands. When the rally reached City Chowk, three FMPHWs attempted self immolation by pouring kerosene oil but leaders of JKMEF and strong police contingent foiled their self immolation attempt.
In the meantime, four protesting FMPHWs, who were identified as Rekha Rani (46) wife of Ramesh Kumar, resident of Rehari Colony, Neelam Kumari (48) wife of Kewal Kumar, resident of Tanda (RS Pura), Promila Kumari (33) wife of Rakesh Dubey of Jhajjar Kotli and Surya Akhter (36) wife of Noor Hussain of Bari-Brahmana fell un-conscious. They were shifted to Government Medical College and Hospital, Jammu for treatment.
Meanwhile, the functioning of health centers, district hospital as well as Sub district hospitals across Jammu Division remained affected due to the strike of FMPHWs and health employees. A complete shutdown like situation prevailed in all hospitals while emergency services were exempted from the purview of the strike.
Health Services at Government Hospitals at Gandhi Nagar and Sarwal, LRPU Gangyal and other major/minor health institutions in the Division remained paralyzed. The diagnostic services like ultrasound and X-ray also remain paralyzed. Routine surgeries were cancelled and most of the patients continued to be turned away from the hospitals. However, Gynae surgeries were being conducted and other emergency services were running smoothly in all the hospitals.
The strike was also observed by FMPHWs at District Hospital Doda under the chairmanship of Halima Tahir, District president of NHM Employees’ Association, Faizan Tramboo, urged the Government to release the pending salaries of FMPHWs and settle their salary issue once for all.
At Reasi, the FMPHWs along with members of JKMEF, took out a protest rally from Chowk Chabutra to Bus Stand, Reasi, under the chairmanship of Abdul Hamid Bhat, district president, JKMEF, Reasi. They raised slogans in support of their demands and burnt the effigy of J&K Government.
Meanwhile, the JKMEF has extended its pen/tool down strike across Jammu Division till June 20.
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