Kozhikode: Medical college hospital officials have terminated contract workers who had risked their lives to serve those affected by the deadly Nipah virus. The hospital superintendent had issued notices to 30 sanitary workers, six nursing assistants and seven nursing staff.
The contract workers said that they were not informed about the time period or nature of work while joining duty. “We risked our lives to work”, said E P Rijesh and K U Sasidharan, who were even engaged in disposing off the remains of patients. The sanitary workers said the hospital officials, including head nurses, had not allowed them to come out of the Nipah ward. The decision is a major setback for them.
The only glimmer of hope for these contract workers is the verbal assurance given by Health Minister K K Shailaja during a function held in Kozhikode to honour those who had served during the Nipah outbreak. Incidentally, only seven workers were conferred with mementos during the function. Others, who are yet to receive the recognition, urged the officials not to insult them even if they are not honoured.
“We will complete six months’ service in December, not even temporary staff have been terminated this soon,” said Somasundaran and Soja who are nursing assistants. Some of the head nurses were in favour of appointing the contract workers under Rashtriya Swasthya Bima Yojna (RSBY). As many as 110 workers were appointed under the scheme in October.
Hunger strike from Friday
The contract workers had on Monday sent petitions signed by them to the Chief Minister, Health Minister, Labour Minister, health secretary, district collector, medical college principal, DMO and A Pradeepkumar MLA seeking to continue to work. They are gearing up to start a hunger strike in front of the hospital from Friday. The contract workers are also planning to meet the Chief Minister at Thiruvananthapuram in this regard.Allowed to work for 89 more days: Officials
Medical college hospital superintendent Dr K G Sajithkumar said the officials had done what they could for the contract workers. “During the floods, the hospital officials unanimously decided to allow those who had served during Nipah outbreak to work for 89 more days. The extension was given using RSBY funds. This must be explained during the audit,” he added.
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