Health services disrupted as Mitanin workers go on indefinite strike

 

 

HEALTH services across the district and other parts in Chhattisgarh are reported to have severely disrupted as Mitanin workers, including grassroots health workers, trainers, block coordinators, health panchayat coordinators and help desk facilitators, have gone on an indefinite strike since December 13. If sources are to be believed, the ongoing strike has led to a halt in crucial healthcare activities such as immunisation, institutional deliveries, tuberculosis and leprosy treatment, and maternal and newborn care.

 

The strike has affected services in Balod and across the state, with over 75,000 Mitanin workers including 2473 from Balod involved in the programme. The protest is reported to be an outcome of the longstanding grievances over the management and functioning of the Mitanin programme, which is currently administered by the State Health Resource Centre, an NGO. Mitanin workers allege that the NGO has subjected them to mental, physical, and financial harassment while also engaging in financial irregularities. The Chhattisgarh State Health Mitanin Association is demanding the transfer of the programme from the NGO to the National Health Mission (NHM), a move they believe will better address these issues. In addition to the management changes, the workers are demanding that their incentive amounts and the compensation for other workers be doubled. The association has expressed frustration over the state government’s alleged inaction on these issues, despite promises made in the 2023 election manifesto.

 

Chandraprabha Sudhakar, the Balod District President of the Chhattisgarh State Health Mitanin Association, criticised the government for not fulfilling its commitments. “While the government is busy celebrating its achievements over the past year, it has failed to act on the promises made for Mitanins in the election manifesto. Our demands have been ignored, and that is why we are forced to go on an indefinite strike,” she said. Sudhakar warned that if their demands are not met, the association will escalate the protest into a more aggressive movement. The association has also outlined a detailed schedule for district-level protests, which will begin on December 16 in Balod and Gunderdehi blocks. The protests will continue in a phased manner across the district.

 

The protests will be staged in Balod and Gunderdehi blocks on December 16, Dondi and Dondilohara blocks on December 17, Gurur and Balod blocks on December 18, Dondilohara and Gunderdehi blocks on December 19 besides Dondi and Gurur blocks on December 20. Senior association leaders, including Meena Dongre and Sarika Mehar, will also attend the protests. The Association claims that its ‘Work Boycott’ movement has been overwhelmingly successful, with 95% of workers participating in the strike. The district medical officers, Chief Medical and Health Officer, and the District Collector have been informed of the protest schedule.