May release funds for dues, says Centre
The Ministry of Health and Family Welfare has communicated to the PGI Director, Prof Vivek Lal, that the demands of the protesting hospital attendants are under consideration. Responding to the letters sent by the institute dated October 10 and 14, the ministry stated, “…the matter of release of funds is under active consideration of the ministry and in consultation with the department of Expenditure, GOI.”
The PGI authorities have informed the hospital attendants, sanitation attendants and bearers, who have been protesting near the Administrative Block for the past six days, about the ministry’s response. However, they are yet to decide on whether to end the strike.
Deputy Director (Administration) Pankaj Rai said around 100 students of various government colleges helped the PGI staff in continuing patient care and essential medical services. Apart from students, NGOs, including Vishav Manav Ruhani Kendra, SUKH Foundation and Rotaract, assisted in manual and administrative works to support the faculty in this challenging period. Volunteers of the Vishav Manav Ruhani Kendra loaded and shifted medical stocks from one place to another near the Nehru Hospital entrance.
A group of girls from the Postgraduate Government College for Girls, Sector 42, were walking back home after doing an 8 am-1 pm shift. They guided patients to doctors’ rooms turn by turn. It was their first day at the hospital and they were all ready to help the staff, if need be in the following days.
