Pilibhit: 56 ANMs Face Pay Cuts After Vaccination Chaos
56 contractual ANMs in Pilibhit face show-cause notices and salary deductions after skipping duty, disrupting childhood vaccinations.
The health department in Pilibhit has cracked down on 56 contractual Auxiliary Nurse Midwives (ANMs) for staying away from their posts, leading to a significant disruption in essential healthcare services. These Pilibhit ANM pay cuts and disciplinary actions come after the staff failed to return to work following a state-wide strike.
Strike Ends, But Absentees Remain
While the ANM union's official strike concluded on October 16, the transition back to normalcy was not seamless. Despite explicit directives from health authorities to resume services immediately, 56 contractual ANMs stationed across various health centers in Puranpur remained absent on October 17.
This unauthorized absence occurred at a critical time, leaving several health centers unmanned and operational duties neglected.
Childhood Vaccination Program Hit Hard
The impact of this absenteeism was felt most acutely by the most vulnerable members of society. The National Childhood Vaccination Program was brought to a standstill at 56 different health centers due to the missing staff.
Many parents and guardians, who had traveled to the centers for their children's scheduled vaccinations, were forced to return home empty-handed. The lack of personnel meant that critical immunization services could not be administered, causing widespread inconvenience and potential health risks for the infants involved.
Strict Disciplinary Action Initiated
Taking a stern view of the negligence, the Medical Officer In-Charge (MOIC), Dr. Manish Raj Sharma, has moved swiftly to penalize the defaulting employees. The department has initiated the following actions:
- Show-Cause Notices: All 56 contractual employees have been issued formal notices demanding an explanation for their unauthorized absence.
- Salary Deductions: Dr. Sharma has submitted a formal report to the Chief Medical Officer (CMO) recommending a one-day salary deduction for every one of the 56 ANMs.
Zero Tolerance for Negligence
Dr. Manish Raj Sharma has made it clear that the health department will not overlook such lapses in duty. He stated that the final decision on the pay cuts will depend on the quality of the explanations provided in the show-cause responses.
"If the explanations provided in response to the show-cause notices are found to be unsatisfactory, the pay cuts will be finalized," emphasized Dr. Sharma, adding that the department maintains a zero-tolerance policy regarding the negligence of duty.