Despite receiving no salary for more than two months and facing a severe shortage of funds, doctors and staff at the Miri Piri Hospital in Shahabad have decided to continue providing services to patients. The hospital, which offers subsidized medical care, has a monthly salary bill of approximately Rs 1.7 crore.
Staff Decides Against Strike
Earlier, there were expectations that the staff might call for a strike due to the pending salaries. However, an official from the hospital confirmed that the doctors and other employees have resolved to serve patients as long as resources are available. The hospital employs around 400 people, including 40 doctors. Already, about 20 staff members—comprising nursing staff, Class IV employees, and technicians—have resigned due to the salary backlog.
Financial Strain on Hospital
The hospital requires an annual budget of Rs 20 crore to operate smoothly. Its monthly receipts are around Rs 1.5 crore, a significant portion of which goes toward loan repayment, leaving limited funds for operational theaters and other essential services. The management is struggling to keep the facility functional.
Management Responds
Baldev Singh Kaimpur, a leader of the Haryana Sikh Gurdwara Management Committee (HSGMC) and member of the trust managing the institute, praised the doctors' decision. “The doctors have taken the right decision in the interest of the patients. We all are concerned about the ongoing situation and efforts are being made to resolve the issue so that staff members get their salaries at the earliest,” he said.
Kaimpur added, “We have asked the HSGMC chief to hold a meeting with the SGPC president on this issue. We are hopeful that things will be back on track soon.”
Previous Protests and Unresolved Issues
Earlier this month, consultant specialists at Miri Piri Hospital staged a one-day mass leave to protest the two-month salary delay. The HSGMC president had assured them that salaries would be cleared after the General House meeting. However, since that meeting was canceled, the issue remains unresolved.
Sandeep Inder Singh Cheema, chief executive officer of Miri Piri Hospital, stated, “Though doctors and other staff members have decided to keep providing uninterrupted services, the financial situation is not so good. All efforts are being made to keep the hospital functional. We are currently depending on the receipts to ensure smooth operations.”
Cheema further noted, “The matter was taken up with the HSGMC president, but the issue is yet to be resolved. The HSGMC should resolve its internal issues and earmark a separate budget for the smooth operations of the hospital.”
The hospital continues to serve patients despite the financial crisis, with staff showing remarkable dedication amid uncertainty.
