Pharmacists doing frontline duties appeal at par treatment with regular employees
Ferozepur, April 28, 2020: Rural Pharmacists working as warriors on the frontline during a fight against Covid-19 threat in the country, along with others, showed their resentment for not regularizing them as they are working on a temporary basis for the last 14 years.
There are total of 1,183 posts of doctors and pharmacists under the Department of Rural Development and Panchayats. These doctors are called Rural Medical Officers (RMOs). After the Covid-19 outbreak, the services of these doctors and pharmacists were placed at the disposal of the Health Department.
These officials are working for quarantine center duties, flu corners, and sample collection of infected patients without any protective gear.
Speaking to media persons to raise their voice through a video, Hanu Tiwari, General Secretary, Punjab Rural Pharmacists Association, has made an appeal to the Chief Minister to consider to regularize their services.
But it is very unfortunate that Zila Parishad under whom we are working, have not so far considered to regular our services, he said.
Expressing concern over present coronavirus situation throughout the country, he said, we don’t have any problem in working on the frontline along with the other paramedical staff, with more dedication and devotion, risking our lives but at the same time, our services must be recognized at par with other employees of the Punjab government.
He said, the sub-staff working with is getting only Rs.4,500 per month, say Rs.150 per day, which is less than the DC rates fixed by the daily wager even, who too have more hard duty. Whereas the Pharmacists are getting Rs.10,000 per month, say Rs.330 per day, and sometimes we feel sorry to share this.
Making once again appeal, our class is on duty at the all the inter-district entry points for checking as per the protocols and keeping in view of our services and also having no other avenues at this age, our services may be regularized, as we too are giving our services in health department like other regular colleagues, said Pharmacist in a choked voice.