National Health Mission Contract Cuts Threaten Hospital Services Across Keralam

Government hospitals and health centres across Keralam face severe service disruptions after the job contracts of 1,495 temporary staff under the National Health Mission ended on October 31.

Impacted Roles

The workers who lost their jobs include doctors, nurses, pharmacists, accountants, physiotherapists, lab technicians, and coordinators for Accredited Social Health Activists. These dismissals threaten special newborn units, urban health centres, hospital labs, pharmacies, and the 'Ashadhara' project managing rare genetic bleeding disorders.

District Figures And Union Reaction

Ernakulam and Thrissur districts face the highest impact with 183 and 180 job cuts respectively, while Kozhikode district alone lost 99 positions. Meera Nimeesh, State general secretary of the NHM Employees Federation, states that contracts normally run from April to March but were extended through October due to Assembly elections and appraisals. She alleges the dismissals target staff with up to 20 years of experience who do not support the United Democratic Front government. Meanwhile, the Health department has issued a notification to appoint new workers.

Context

Contract healthcare workers under national health programs often fill critical staffing gaps in public hospitals across India. Changes in state administrations frequently lead to disputes over the renewal and continuation of such temporary project-based positions.