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Hospital Strike: Patients Clean Own Wards
2 Nov
Summary
- Patients are cleaning hospital rooms and bathrooms due to a sanitation staff strike.
- Destitute patients are not receiving basic care, including bathing, during the strike.
- Staff demand pay disparity resolution, citing unfulfilled government promises.
Patients and their attendants at Govt Doon Medical College Hospital in Dehradun have taken to cleaning their own rooms and washrooms. This situation arose as the indefinite strike by housekeeping staff entered its third day on Monday, severely disrupting sanitation services and leaving wards unclean. The strike also affects destitute patients who depend on housekeeping workers for basic care and hygiene.
Housekeeping workers stated they are continuing to clean intensive care units on humanitarian grounds but will not end their protest until their demands are met. The staff are protesting alleged pay disparity, with the government reportedly failing to implement earlier assurances of pay revision for all workers. A previous strike in September was called off based on similar promises, but revisions were reportedly only implemented for a select few.
Medical Superintendent Dr RS Bisht mentioned a meeting on Monday morning where a positive resolution was reportedly reached, with a committee to be formed. However, protesters await a written order. The union general secretary cited a lack of clear timelines and communication from the administration regarding their demands as the reason for initiating the indefinite strike.
