Health workers on hunger strike in Delhi

A section of health workers here are on a hunger strike protesting against privatisation of health services and demanding revision of hospital patient care allowance along with filling of vacant posts.
All India Health Employees and Workers Confederation, a union representing the health workers, has submitted a 16-point demand charter to the Health Ministry.
The two-day relay hunger strike which began yesterday will conclude tomorrow.
"We want that the patient care allowance should be at par with the nursing allowance and be extended to all health institutions in country and all levels of health employees.
"Outsourcing and privatisation of health services should be stopped immediately as patients suffer in the process and it leads to exploitation of health workers," Union's General Secretary Ram Kishan told reporters during the strike at RML hospital here.

The other demands raised by them include compensation appointments, quality uniform and washing allowance for uniforms, updating of recruitment rules and constitution of paramedical council, among others.

"In Delhi, various health workers are on strike at seven places including Safdarjung hospital, RML hospital, Kalavati hospital, Ram Lal Kundan hospital, RAK college of nursing, Lady Reading Health School and Rural Health Training Centre, but we will ensure that patients don't suffer in the process.
The union body also claimed that similar strikes are being organised simultaneously at 17 states across the country and lakhs of health workers are participating in it.

The General Secretary announced that the health workers from across the country will organise a rally on August 5 at Jantar Mantar and raise their demands as Parliament will be in session then.