The sanitary employees in the District Hospital and The JAH Group of Hospitals are on strike for past four days crippling the sanitation system in these hospitals.

The services are being maintained by BVG Company on petty contract of Noida based HITTES Company who has been assigned contract for hygiene, security and the Registration process of the patients.

To make the District Hospital and The JAH Group of Hospitals more responsive to the medical needs of the public of the Gwalior Chambal Division, the authorities had appointed the Noida based HITTES Company in 2017, but it sub-let the contract to BVG Company. It is said that the company belongs to influential people and the contracts were awarded on the basis of political connections.

Despite the fanfare associated with the appointment of these companies the dysfunctional health systems of these prestigious hospitals continue to pose a serious threat to the patients of the division. The sanitary workers under contract to this company have been on indefinite strike due to the nonpayment of dues. The strike is adding its bit to the already ailing and malfunctioning medical care systems in these government hospitals. According to the representatives of the striking staff, the company is giving them neither ESI nor EPF. Even the basic salary is much below what was promised at the time of joining. As an alternative arrangement, Dr Ashok Mishra, the Medical Superintend of JAH contacted the Gwalior Municipal Corporation asking them to send some sanitary workers. However the striking staff did not allow the Corporation workers to clean up the premises. The MS also held discussions with the striking staff who demanded that their basic wages must be at least in accordance with the collector’s guidelines. Later, the MS held discussions with the representatives of The HITTES and BVG companies and asked them to settle the issues at the earliest. Speaking to the media persons, Dr Mishra said that the sanitary workers have been on strike for the last four days and conceded that the hygiene standards at the hospitals have deteriorated due to this. He further said that notices have been sent to the companies asking them to clarify why ESI and PF are not paid in accordance with rules. He added that a full report has been sent to the government for further action.