Chhattisgarh: 25 NHM employees return to duty after three months

Raipur: The Chhattisgarh government has reinstated National Health Mission (NHM) employees who were removed from service during a statewide strike. Nearly three months after their dismissal, 25 NHM staff members across the state have been allowed to return to duty.

In Durg district, two doctors, Dr Alok Sharma and Dr Sanjeev Dubey, rejoined service on Wednesday, reporting to the office of the Chief Medical and Health Officer (CMHO), Dr Mithilesh Chaudhary, and submitting their joining reports.

Apart from Durg, NHM staff have been reinstated in several other districts, including Balod, Balodabazar, Bemetara, Bilaspur, Dantewada, Gariaband, Janjgir-Champa, Kanker, Kawardha, Mohla-Manpur-Ambagarh Chowki, Narayanpur, Raigarh, and Sukma. Those reinstated include doctors, medical officers, and other frontline health workers.

The return of dismissed staff was welcomed by hospital staff, who said the health system had been struggling due to staff shortages. Their joining has brought relief to health workers and lifted the workload pressure on government hospitals.

Also read- NHM Chhattisgarh hit by mass resignations amid indefinite strike

As per Dainik Jagran news report, the doctors were among 25 NHM employees who were dismissed earlier for their alleged role in leading a statewide strike. The protest was organised by NHM staff to demand job security, better service conditions, and improved pay. At the time, the state government took strict action and terminated the services of employees from different districts.

Medical Dialogues reported on this matter, where over 14,000 striking contractual officers and employees of the National Health Mission in Chhattisgarh submitted their resignations after the government sacked 25 NHM staffers who were leading the agitation. The NHM staffers protested since August 18 to press for their 10-point demands, including regularisation of services and improved working conditions.

Following the dismissals, affected workers and employee unions continued to press for reinstatement, warning that the absence of trained staff was negatively impacting public healthcare, particularly in rural and tribal areas. The government had earlier indicated that the issue would be resolved soon and that reinstatement could happen before Diwali. However, despite discussions in cabinet meetings, the decision was delayed, leading to frustration among NHM employees.

As talks dragged on, employee unions warned of fresh protests and another strike. With pressure increasing, the state government finally approved the reinstatement, allowing employees to return to work.

The return of NHM staff is expected to ease workforce shortages and improve service delivery across government health facilities. However, employee organisations have stated that dialogue on broader policy issues and employment conditions must continue to ensure long-term stability within the NHM workforce.

Also read- No work, no pay: Chhattisgarh Govt warns 16,000 striking NHM contractual employees