Kerala government hospital services may face disruption as NHM contracts end
The termination of job contracts for 1,495 National Health Mission staff could impact various healthcare services across the state.
The delivery of various services in government hospitals and health centres across Kerala is likely to be affected following the termination of job contracts for 1,495 temporary National Health Mission (NHM) staff from October 31, according to The Hindu.
The affected employees include doctors, nurses, pharmacists, accountants, physiotherapists, lab technicians, and staff coordinating Accredited Social Health Activists (ASHA) activities. This may impact special newborn units in district hospitals, the ‘Ashadhara’ project for managing haemophilia and rare genetic disorders, and the functioning of urban health centres, labs, and pharmacies.
Meera Nimeesh, State general secretary of the NHM Employees Federation, said the staff were originally appointed for one year from April to March. While the tenure was extended twice following the Assembly elections, the contracts have now ended.
Ms. Nimeesh alleged that the government's action is politically motivated, claiming that those not aligned with the United Democratic Front government were singled out. She noted that even staff with nearly 20 years of experience were terminated after a second round of performance appraisals in October.
The federation stated that NHM staff provide integral services including immunisation, maternal and child care, communicable disease control, and palliative care. The highest number of affected staff are in Ernakulam and Thrissur districts, with 183 and 180 people respectively.
The Health department has issued a notification for the appointment of new staff.