Daily Times

Punjab Minister for Health Dr Jawad Sajid Khan has assured that all steps would be taken to resolve the issues related to female health workers and hurdles would be removed for smooth payment of their arrears.

He stated this while talking to a delegation of Lady Health Workers Association, who called on him on Monday.

Rukhsana Anwar was heading the delegation. The LHWs apprised the minister of their issues related to the service structure, payment of arrears and other difficulties faced by them in the field. The delegation informed the minister that their arrears were being paid in installments even then they were facing difficulties, in getting their dues and in some districts, officials of the department were not cooperating with them in this regard.

They were of the opinion that service structure has been prepared but yet not implemented. The delegation informed that sims for android cell phones have been given to them by IRMNCH but they were being forced to load balance from their own pocket which was very difficult in meagre salaries.

The delegation also demanded that inquiries and disciplinary action under the Punjab Employees Efficiency Discipline & Accountability Act against the office-bearers of LHWs Association should also be withdrawn. Talking to the delegation, the health minister assured that he will discuss their issues with the Primary & Secondary Health secretary and would call a meeting of the department including the officers of integrated reproductive mother new born child health programme and all possible measures would be taken to resolve the problems of lady health workers.

Published in Daily Times, July 10^th 2018.