DNA Straight Talk: Government strikes a chord to break the deadlock

Strike of ambulance staff is taking its toll on patients. Government is not able to break the deadlock. Patients are running helter-skelter. Amit Bhatt caught up with Naveen Jain, Secretary Medical, Health and Family Welfare to understand what government is doing to make patients’ lives better

What is health department doing to avert the crisis due to ambulance staff strike?

We have asked service provider to resolve the issues with ambulance staff. As per the agreement with service provider, they are responsible for human resource management. Apart of that, we have asked district Collectors to restore services. We have been informed that our efforts have paid off and in almost half the state, ambulance services have been restored.

Are demands of ambulance staff not genuine enough to be fulfilled?

As far as the salary hike, extra duty incentives and duty hours are concerned, these issues would be handled at the service provider level. Their demand to take ambulance staff on government pay-rolls, is related to government and as of now it is not possible for us to consider.

What action would you take against the company as it has failed to provide ambulance services for last three days? 

As per the contract agreement, running cost of ambulances is being borne by the government on per ambulance per month basis. We are not going to pay for ‘strike-days’.  

Since the ambulance services have been included under RESMA on March 16 this year, are you going to get arrest orders issued against the agitating ambulance staff?

We have observed during the in-service doctors’ agitation that arrest is a harsh and non- effective measure. Company has been asked to resolve the issue amicably. Meanwhile, we are also planning alternate arrangements to ensure that patients don’t suffer much.