JAMMU, Mar 25: Patients across Jammu and Kashmir faced major inconvenience today as a two-day strike by the Joint Action Committee (JAC) of Health and Medical Employees disrupted services in government hospitals and medical colleges across the Union Territory.
On the first day of the strike, Outpatient Department (OPD) services and key diagnostic facilities, including X-ray and ultrasound, remained largely suspended in most major hospitals. Though OPDs functioned briefly for about an hour in some institutions, the limited time was insufficient to handle the heavy rush, resulting in long queues and inconvenience.
A large number of patients—especially the elderly, pregnant women and those with chronic illnesses—were forced to return without consultations or diagnostic tests. However, emergency services continued to operate, providing some relief in critical cases.
Meanwhile, paramedical and nursing staff staged protests at government medical colleges and hospitals across the Union Territory, expressing strong resentment against what they termed anti-employee policies of the administration.
The agitation has been launched against an order issued by the Director Finance, Health & Medical Education Department on January 20, 2026, withdrawing the allowance equivalent to two-and-a-half days’ salary for non-gazetted employees working on Sundays and gazetted holidays under roster duty.
Jammu & Kashmir Medical Employees Federation President Jaswinder Singh said the decision has caused widespread dissatisfaction, noting that staff had been compensated for holiday duties for over three decades and the sudden withdrawal is demoralising.
He added that a government-appointed committee, constituted on March 11, 2026, to examine the issue has neither submitted its report nor initiated meaningful dialogue with employee representatives.
Employees had been protesting since February 9, starting with black badge demonstrations, followed by a two-hour strike on February 20 and a one-day strike on March 12. With no resolution, the agitation has now escalated into a two-day strike.
The disruption has further exposed the strain on the already burdened healthcare system, with staff shortages affecting routine care, diagnostics and follow-up treatment.
The JAC has warned of intensifying the protest if their demands are not addressed. Demonstrations were reported from several institutions, including Government Medical College Jammu, GMC Rajouri and Qazigund.
Meanwhile, Secretary, Health & Medical Education Department, M Raju, expressed hope that the issue would be resolved soon. However, with no immediate breakthrough, the ongoing impasse continues to impact patient care, leaving the public to bear the brunt. (Agency)
