New Delhi: Staff members of the mohalla clinics gathered outside the Delhi Secretariat on Monday to protest against the termination of their services.
In a memorandum submitted to officials, the Mohalla Clinic Union expressed concerns over the dismissal of staff, with some employees reportedly receiving phone calls urging them to resign immediately.
“Our salaries for the past two months have been withheld as a means of coercion. We are being pressured to sign no-dues forms,” the memorandum stated in Hindi.
Identifying themselves as “COVID warriors,” the staff voiced their grievances, claiming they are facing unjust treatment.
Delhi Chief Minister Rekha Gupta had previously assured the mohalla clinic staff that their jobs would be secure amid fears of a potential overhaul of the system. The opposition party, the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP), has alleged that thousands of doctors, nurses, pharmacists, and multi-tasking workers have been dismissed from the clinics.
Citing Gupta’s assurance, the memorandum emphasized that the staff have remained patient but now feel that their situation is “anti-humanity.”
The union’s demands include the reinstatement of staff in the new structure, the release of their withheld salaries, paid maternity leave, an increase in wages, and a festival bonus.
On Monday morning, the staff staged a protest outside the Delhi Secretariat and observed a symbolic day-long strike to advocate for their demands.
Officials have indicated that the government plans to transition the mohalla clinics into Ayushman Arogya Mandirs, which are intended to provide integrated primary healthcare services to citizens.
The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), which returned to power in Delhi after a hiatus of more than 26 years, approved the implementation of the Ayushman Bharat scheme in the national capital during its first cabinet meeting following the swearing-in of Gupta and six of her ministers on February 20.
In her budget speech, Gupta, who also serves as the Finance Minister, announced the establishment of 1,139 Ayushman Arogya Mandirs throughout Delhi.
Officials report that the national capital currently has 553 mohalla clinics, with plans to upgrade 70 of these facilities into Ayushman Arogya Mandirs. This initiative aims to enhance healthcare accessibility and improve the quality of medical services available to residents.
