Punjab Community Health Officers strike over pay, 2,500 Ayushman Arogya Mandirs shut

The strike has significantly disrupted primary healthcare services, with protesting CHOs demanding the implementation of key demands such as 'equal pay for equal work' and the immediate withdrawal of the performance-based incentive system.

CHOs have been diligently providing their services under the Health Department and the National Health Mission (NHM) for several years. They have played a pivotal role in the success of initiatives such as Ayushman Arogya Mandirs and national health programs covering TB, NCDs, and maternal and child health within the state.

Speaking to The Tribune, Dr Shivraj Singh, State Cashier of the Novel Integrated Association of Community Health Officers (NAICHO), Punjab, said, “Our main demands are the implementation of 'Equal Work, Equal Wages' for NHM employees, restoration of loyalty bonuses, immediate withdrawal of newly issued incentive performa, sectioning of posts and cadre of CHOs, merging of salary and incentive and lifting of ban on private practice imposed on CHOs with BAMS qualification”.

He also informed that applications regarding this matter had been submitted to the officials several times, but no action was taken.

"Due to continuous neglect by the government and the department, all the CHOs of Punjab have been forced to take the path of struggle. Accordingly, all CHOs have stopped work from June 22, and we will continue our strike till our demands are answered," Dr Shivraj further added.

The indefinite strike, which has left thousands of health centres non-functional, has created a major challenge to the delivery of public health services, particularly for rural and vulnerable populations that rely on these facilities.

The state government is under immense pressure to engage in talks with NAICHO to resolve these long-standing grievances; otherwise, there is a risk of a prolonged health crisis.