Source: The Sangai Express
Imphal, September 30:
An order issued by the Deputy Commissioner of Senapati district recently is creating discontentment and drawing flak from employees working in the health service sector in the district.
The Deputy Commissioner Dr Prem Singh's circular issued on September 11 entails indefinitely holding clearance and distribution of salaries entitled to the staff of Family Welfare Department.
The order is learnt to be connected to persistent dismal performance of immunization programme in the district.
The DC, who is also the chairman of the District Health Mission Society, Senapati in his order however, contained a rider that salaries might be released in case their is ample sign of improved dispensation in the immunization work, sources said.
the immunization programme that encompasses adminstration of polio drops among others is being implemented by the Family welfare unit.
Though the health office is not officially connected with these tasks, some of its doctors and support staff are engaged in the programme due to man power inadequacy in the Family Welfare unit.
Disgruntled by the DC's order an emergency meeting of the district health unit employees including doctors and non-medical staff was held yesterday at the district headquarters, according to the sources who further added that though no specific decisions were adopted, speakers expressed strong resentment over the order terming it as an attempt to demoralize health employees.
The meeting, nevertheless refered the order to the DC to revoke the same.
Doctors including surgeons, and non medical staffs like clerks and grade IVs working in Senapati district hospital have nothing to do with the immunization programme, the meeting reacted.
Hence they should not be victimized when immunization programmes are not satisfactory.
Though the Family welfare office is solely responsible with the programme, the health employees, who are engaged in it, expressed their opinion to work harder to meet the target in the interest of the district's people.
Lack of infrastructure including vaccines storage systems and vehicles besides deplorable road conditions in the district could be the major hurdles in carrying out the programme.
Another primary factor for it is the non-availability of all immunization vaccines in May this year though the doctors and their associated staff were all prepared for it.
This being the factual case, the meeting also termed the Deputy Commissioner's order as irrational that could have negative impact on workers' morale.
Currently over 400 employees are working at different unit under the health department in Senapati district.