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Journalism of Courage
NEW DELHI, July 28: Patients were the biggest losers in the government versus striking hospital employee staff stand-off that lasted eight days. In the agreement reached late last night, compromises have been made by both the parties, eight days after patient care was compromised.
The highlight of the agreement is the increase in the hospital patient care allowance (PCA). As far as Central government hospitals go, the allowance for Group D employees will be raised from Rs 75 to Rs 695 and from Rs 80 to Rs 700 for Group C workers. In CGHS dispensaries, patient care allowance would be increased from Rs 70 per month to Rs 690 for Group C and D employees.
The workers had initially been demanding a PCA worth 25 per cent of their basic pay. Now, they have got a PCA worth 20 per cent of their basic pay with employees at the lower end benefitting more than employees at the higher end of the scale.
None of this however guarantees a qualitative improvement in the real care that patients will get.
On its part, the agreement also stipulates that the PCA would be extended to employees of the National Malaria Eradication Programme, National Institute of Communicable Diseases, RAK College of Nursing, Lady Reading Health School and Rural Health Training Centre at Najafgarh. This was part of the original demands of the workers.
The other demand that the workers negotiated to their benefit was a washing allowance of Rs 60 per month for the above mentioned institutions. A committee would look into matters relating to issues like time-bound promotions and privatisation of health services in various hospitals. The committee is expected to submit its report in six months. The agreement also stipulates that steps would be taken to try and implement the above measures in hospitals run by the Delhi government also. Again, there are no guarantees.
