Health workers call off strike

[नेपाली]

KATHMANDU, Aug 20 - Junior health workers in government health institutions, who had joined the nationwide strike from August 17, have decided to resume their work from Monday. However, they will be continuing their protest in different manner.

"We will resume our work but at the same time will continue with the protest," said Bhagirath Baniya, president of an ad hoc committee formed to launch the stir, on Sunday. He said that the committee had circulated instructions to the health workers in the district to resume their work from Monday.

The 26,000 non-gazetted health workers went on strike from August 17 in support of their demands. The demands include, among other things, at least two promotions during their 20 years service period, special allowances for those working in risky environment, free treatment at all government health institutions for them and their kins, end to the process of handing over government health institutions to the community and training for mid-level health workers.

According to him, now onwards, they would be protesting by wearing black bands while performing their duty and continue with the ongoing sit-in protests in front of the Health Ministry and stop reporting to the concerned authorities.

However, he warned that 26,000 mid-level health workers would again stop their work from August 31 if the ministry did not fulfill their demands as committed by Deputy Prime Minister Amik Serchan, who also looks after health portfolio. During a meeting with the representatives of the striking health workers on Friday, Sherchan had promised to fulfill most of their demands.

If the health workers resume their strike on August 31, the September 2-3 national polio vaccination program is most likely to be impeded.

Meanwhile, a report from Salyan said that dozens of patients, especially from low-income group were denied treatment in the district hospitals following the protest. People in urgency are compelled to seek treatment at private medical centers. They have been forced to buy medicines from the market, which otherwise were free in government health posts and primary health centers.

Tika Ram KC, a local of Damachaur VDC, said, "Several people, especially children in villages are suffering from typhoid as they are not receiving proper treatment."

Similarly, over two dozens women from Khalanga VDC, who had come to the Tundikhel in the district headquarters to get their children vaccinated, returned home empty-handed.