Punjab Health Department to take action against siege of DGHS

Agitated over the siege of Directorate General Health Services in the state, the Punjab Health Department is likely to take a strict action against the miscreants.

According to some sources, those who have been leading the siege including, employees on probation will be identified through 'high definition CCTV footage'. A strict measure is likely to be taken with those employees likely to be will be sacked; while the regular will be suspended those on contract will be issued notices for termination of service. The department is likely to start proceedings in a couple of days.

The siege at DGHS includes barring of entry of any officer in the office. It has been essentially led by vaccinators, lady health workers and employees of Dengue Control Programme, with paramedics and lady health workers also becoming a part of it later. Their joint demands include implementation of service structure, promotion in next grade, regularization of adhoc employees and health professional allowance.

The protests have led a huge chaos at the premise with difficulties reported for the visiting patients. The patients have been denied access after the allied health staff locked vaccination stores, RHCs, BHUs and vaccination centres. Protests have also led to huge traffic jams with the whole premise blocked by the protestors.

However, only one positive development has been reported of a three day campaign continued elsewhere in the province and will conclude today (Wednesday).

"High ups have gone through CCTV footage. Most active and violent protesters have been identified. They have written threat letters to officers. Action can be taken on Wednesday. Police will also be called to stop their (vaccinators) protest", said an official who wanted not to be quoted,as reported by a website.