Ward boy attempts self-immolation at Rewa Hospital over delayed salary

Rewa: Panic erupted at Sanjay Gandhi Memorial Hospital in Rewa, Madhya Pradesh, when a ward boy attempted self-immolation after allegedly facing a one-month delay in receiving his salary.

The incident took place on Saturday evening when a ward boy employed through Agile Company stormed into the hospital courtyard carrying a bottle of petrol, leaving patients, attendants, and staff in shock before security guards intervened to prevent a tragedy.

According to the news reports, overwhelmed by a month-long delay in receiving his salary, the ward boy poured the fuel over himself and shouted, "Give me my salary, or I'll end my life right here!"

Eyewitnesses described the scene as terrifying. Many onlookers froze in shock, while others recorded the chaotic moments on their phones. Despite his colleagues receiving their payments on time, his salary remained pending, causing severe mental stress. Workers at the hospital said that he had repeatedly approached both the company and the hospital administration regarding his unpaid salary, but received no solution.

Also Read:Kerala Medical College Teachers to launch protest over pending arrears, pay anomalies

The ward boy's emotional breaking point highlighted the severe impact of financial distress on low-wage healthcare workers in Rewa. The guards' heroic intervention not only saved the ward boy's life but also prevented a potential fire hazard that could have endangered dozens in the crowded hospital."It was a miracle they reacted so fast," said one staff member who witnessed the self-immolation attempt. "The entire Rewa hospital community is grateful for their courage," reports the Dainik Jagran.

In response to the incident, the Agile Company manager swiftly transferred the pending salary directly to the ward boy’s bank account. This immediate action brought temporary relief and helped calm the situation. The incident has once again highlighted long-standing concerns about salary delays faced by outsourced and contract healthcare workers in Madhya Pradesh.

Sanjay Gandhi Memorial Hospital Superintendent Dr. Rahul Mishra clarified that no salaries had been intentionally withheld and that the delay in the ward boy’s October payment appeared to be the result of a technical banking issue. He emphasized that taking such an extreme step was unnecessary and avoidable. Dr. Mishra added that the hospital is reviewing its payroll processes to prevent similar delays in the future.

Also Read:UP CHC doctors decry pay disparity, salary delays