Over 5,000 Community Health Officers to march to Bengaluru on Sep

Union leaders in Kalaburagi have announced that more than 5,000 Community Health Officers working under the National Health Mission across Karnataka will begin a padayatra on September 28 and continue their protest with an indefinite dharna in Bengaluru.

March to start from Siddaganga Mutt

The programme was announced at a press conference in Kalaburagi on Thursday by Trade Union Centre of India national general secretary R. Manasayya and Akhila Karnataka State Community Health NHM Contractual Employees Union State president Sumit Gaikwad.

They said the padayatra would begin at Siddaganga Mutt in Tumakuru and end at Freedom Park in Bengaluru, where the participating CHOs would launch the indefinite dharna.

The protest has been called to seek job regularisation and revision of service conditions for CHOs working under the NHM in Karnataka.

Objection to B.Sc. Nursing qualification

The union leaders objected to the State government’s decision to prescribe B.Sc. Nursing as a qualification for the posts of Primary Health Care Officer (PHCO/ANM) and Health Inspection Officer (HIO).

They said the decision would affect the career progression, cadre protection and job security of CHOs already serving under the NHM.

“The very purpose of the move is to replace the existing contractual staff with the fresh recruits. Our union had already submitted detailed objections at a meeting chaired by the Mission Director, NHM, on September 9. However, following the publication of the final Gazette notification on September 15, the Health Department had not provided a reasoned explanation on how the objections raised by the employees had been considered,” Mr. Manasayya said.

Demands before the government

The union has sought immediate regularisation of the services of all working CHOs and complete job security.

It has also demanded withdrawal of the B.Sc. Nursing qualification prescribed for the PHCO (ANM) and HIO posts.

The leaders sought guaranteed cadre protection, clear career progression and promotion opportunities for serving CHOs.

They also asked that the ongoing relocation and transfer process of CHOs be deferred until all pending issues were resolved through discussions.

The union leaders demanded revision of the Terms of Reference for CHOs in accordance with Union government guidelines.

They also sought a transparent inter-district transfer policy and revision of salaries in view of the duties and workload of CHOs.

The proposed agitation, the leaders said, would be conducted peacefully and democratically.

They urged the government to resolve the grievances before the padayatra begins.

Source: The Hindu