The Punjab government will soon come up with a policy to regularise contractual employees of the Health department, said Punjab Health and Family Welfare Minister Dr Balbir Singh, who was chairing a meeting of various health employees unions on the directions of Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann at Punjab Bhawan here on Monday.
Apart from this, the Health Minister said that the government will soon give insurance coverage to all employees of the Health Department including contractual employees and ASHA workers under the Ayushman.He informed that he has already instructed the State Health Agency to explore modalities in this regard in a time bound manner and the premium of the health insurance will be paid by the state government.
Interacting with the employees, Dr Balbir Singh said, “Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann led Punjab government believes in employee friendly policy and accordingly had called union leaders to resolve their grievances without any delay,".
He assured them that they won’t need to rely on agitations to get their demands fulfilled.
He also lauded the health staff for their commendable work in the health sector of the state. "CM Bhagwant Mann led Punjab government has always respected the sentiments and demands of the health employees," he added.
Urging the employees to work with more enthusiasm so that the general public do not face any inconvenience in getting health services, he said that their all genuine and legitimate demands will be met very shortly.While motivating the employees, the cabinet Minister said, "If you chase work, all the perks of life will chase you."
After the meeting, union leaders expressed satisfaction and said that it was a great initiative by the Punjab Government for calling the employees' unions to listen to their problems. They also welcomed and appreciated the Minister, who gave sympathetic hearing to their issues and demands.
Besides the Minister, Principal Secretary Health and Family Welfare, MD National Health Mission, representatives of NHM Employees Union Punjab, NRHM Employee’s Association, Class -4 employees unions, Driver's Association Punjab, Pharmacy officers association, CHO Association, Contract MPHW Female Union, 2211 Contract MPHW Female Association, ASHA Workers and ASHA Facilitator Union, AIDS control employee union and Corona warriors union were present in the meeting.