Nearly 2,500 Ayushman Arogya Mandirs (formerly Ayushman Bharat Health and Wellness Centres) across Punjab remained closed on Monday after Community Health Officers (CHOs) launched an indefinite strike to protest against government policies and demand better wages.
Key demands of striking health officers
Dr Shivraj Singh, state cashier of the Novel Integrated Association of Community Health Officers (NAICHO), Punjab, stated that CHOs have been serving under the Health Department and the National Health Mission (NHM) for many years with full dedication. He highlighted their significant contribution to the success of Ayushman Arogya Mandirs and national health programmes such as TB, NCD, and Maternal and Child Health.
"Our main demands are the implementation of 'Equal Work, Equal Wages' for NHM employees, restoration of loyalty bonuses, immediate withdrawal of the newly issued incentive performa, sectioning of posts and cadre of CHOs, merging of salary and incentive, and lifting of the ban on private practice imposed on CHOs with BAMS qualification," said Dr Shivraj. He added that several representations had been submitted to the authorities but no action was taken.
Strike to continue until demands are met
"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," said Dr Shivraj. The strike has effectively shut down nearly 2,500 Ayushman Arogya Mandirs, impacting healthcare services across the state.
The indefinite strike has raised concerns about the disruption of primary healthcare services, especially in rural areas where these centres are the primary source of medical care. The CHOs play a critical role in delivering preventive and curative services under various national health programmes.
