Hospital Services Collapse in Silchar Amid Ongoing NHM Protest

Health services at S.M. Dev Civil Hospital in Silchar have been severely affected, as nearly 800 National Health Mission (NHM) employees continued their statewide protest for the third consecutive day on Wednesday (November 5), demanding equal pay and job regularisation.

Hundreds of NHM workers have been observing a sit-in since Monday, calling for “equal pay for equal work” and social security benefits similar to regular government staff. The protest, organised by the All Assam Health Technical Welfare Association and NHM Employees’ Association, Assam, has entered its last day on Wednesday.

District Secretary of the NHM Employees’ Association, Mofidul Islam, said the protest was not against the public but for equality and justice. “We are doing this for our rights. Because of our strike, many people are facing problems. NHM workers across the state have stopped working, and we know the public is suffering. But the government must take responsibility. Our demand is simple — regularise our jobs, or at least ensure equal pay for equal work and equal facilities,” he said.

Islam added that despite their repeated appeals, the government has not responded. “If the government cannot take responsibility for us, we cannot take responsibility for the work either,” he said.

S.M. Dev Civil Hospital Superintendent Dr Arup Kumar Patoa confirmed that the strike has caused major disruptions in several key departments. “For the last three days, NHM workers have withdrawn their support. The hospital is suffering a lot, especially in the Newborn Stabilisation Unit (NBSU), Paediatric Intensive Care Unit (PICU), and post-operative ward. More than 60per centt of the staff in these wards are NHM employees,” he said.

Dr Patoa added that due to the absence of nurses, lab technicians, and other staff, several services have been suspended. “We had to stop the NBSU, operation theatre, and ICU. Other wards are running, but it is very difficult. The whole system is affected,” he said.

He also informed that he has been updating the Joint Director of Health, Cachar and Additional Deputy Commissioner (Health) about the hospital’s situation and the steps being taken to manage it.

Joint Director of Health of the district was not available for any comment even after several trial.

On November 3, NHM workers had warned that unless they received a positive response from the government, their protest would continue. As of Wednesday, no official assurance has been given, leaving both hospital staff and patients in uncertainty.

The NHM employees have been demanding equal pay and job regularisation for over 18 years, saying that despite their vital role in the healthcare system, their grievances remain unheard.