Karnah, May 22 (JKNS): Doctors, technicians and paramedical employees working under the National Rural Health Mission (NRHM) at Sub-District Hospital (SDH) Tangdhar in Karnah have appealed to the elected government of the Union Territory of Jammu and Kashmir and the Lieutenant Governor’s administration to address their long-pending demands on humanitarian grounds.
The employees, many of whom have been serving in the remote and border area of Karnah for over a decade, allege that despite rendering continuous services in difficult conditions, they have been deprived of a proper transfer policy, post retirement benefits and special allowances.
According to officials and staff members posted at SDH Tangdhar, around 47 NRHM employees are currently serving in the hospital, including doctors, technicians and paramedical staff. Several among them have spent the prime years of their careers in the far-flung region without any rotational transfer mechanism.
One of the doctors posted at the hospital said that he was initially appointed in Kargil and later transferred directly to SDH Tangdhar, where he has continued serving for many years.
He further revealed that he himself is a heart patient and has to take medicines regularly, yet his requests for transfer on medical and humanitarian grounds have not been considered.
Employees claimed that some doctors have been serving in SDH Tangdhar for nearly 18 years, while others have completed around 12 years in the same institution without being transferred. They said the absence of a transparent transfer policy has caused severe mental stress and frustration among the staff.
The employees also highlighted the hardships associated with working in Karnah, which remains cut off from the rest of Kashmir during harsh winters and frequently faces connectivity and transportation challenges.
Despite serving in such difficult terrain and sensitive border conditions, they said no special incentives or allowances are being provided to them.
The staff demanded the introduction of additional benefits such as travelling allowance (TA), dearness allowance (DA), risk allowance and other hardship incentives for employees serving in remote areas like Karnah.
Expressing concern over the safety and welfare of employees, the staff members stated that nearly four paramedical employees have lost their lives while serving in the area over the years.
However, according to them, there is no compensation policy for the families of employees who die while performing their duties.
They further said that there is also uncertainty regarding their retirement age and post-retirement security. The employees alleged that no clear policy has been framed by the authorities regarding their future service benefits, pension or retirement criteria.
“We have dedicated our lives to healthcare services in one of the most difficult regions of Jammu and Kashmir. We are only requesting justice, humane consideration and a fair policy,” said one of the employees.
The NRHM staff urged the Jammu and Kashmir government and the LG administration to immediately frame a comprehensive transfer policy for employees serving in remote and border areas, provide special allowances, ensure medical and social security, and formulate a proper retirement and compensation policy for healthcare workers.
The employees expressed hope that the administration would take their genuine concerns seriously and provide long-awaited relief to the healthcare workers serving the people of Karnah under challenging circumstances. (JKNS)
