SRINAGAR: Employees working under the National Health Mission (NHM) in Jammu and Kashmir have announced a 72-hour Union Territory-level strike from September 9, alleging that the government has failed to address their long-pending demands.
The decision was taken during a virtual meeting of the UT-level Joint Coordination Committee of NHM Employees on September 5, attended by representatives from both Jammu and Kashmir divisions, including employees associated with the National Tuberculosis Elimination Programme (NTEP) and other NHM schemes.
The employees had earlier issued a final ultimatum to the government and concerned authorities, seeking concrete action on their demands by September 5. However, the committee said no satisfactory response or tangible action was received by the deadline.
Following deliberations, the committee decided that NHM employees across Jammu and Kashmir, including those working at district, block and field levels, would participate in the 72-hour strike beginning September 9.
The announcement was also made at a press conference addressed by All JKNHMEA Jammu Division chief spokesperson Dr Hamid Parray, along with senior vice president Faizan A Tramboo, Doda district president Dr Nasir M Indrabi and other office-bearers.
Parray said NHM employees had continued to serve the public healthcare system despite working in challenging circumstances, adding that the strike had been called only after repeated representations, discussions and appeals failed to produce a resolution.
He appealed to NHM employees, including those working under NTEP and other schemes, to remain united and maintain peace and discipline during the strike.
Divisional President of All JKNHMEA Jammu, Dr Vikas Sharma, said the decision had not been taken in haste but followed the continued non-resolution of what the employees described as their genuine and long-pending issues.
Kashmir Division president Muneer Andrabi said employees had repeatedly demonstrated patience and faith in dialogue but were left with no option but to resort to collective action in the absence of concrete measures.
Meanwhile, UT President of NTEP J&K Musadiq Rafiq Parra said NTEP employees and workers associated with other NHM schemes would extend their support to the strike.
The committee urged district and block-level NHM units and employees across the UT to participate in the programme and maintain unity and discipline.
It also asked employees to rely only on official communications from the committee and refrain from acting on unverified messages or rumours.
The committee said it remained open to dialogue with the government for an amicable resolution of the issues, maintaining that the strike was being undertaken as a “last resort” after repeated attempts through representations and discussions failed to yield results
