SRINAGAR, Sept 12 (KNS): Awami Itihaad Party (AIP) Chief Spokesperson Inam Un Nabi has urged the Jammu and Kashmir Government to urgently resolve the long-pending demands of National Health Mission (NHM) employees, saying the extension of their strike reflects a serious failure to address genuine service-related grievances.

NHM employees across J&K have extended their ongoing agitation by another 72 hours after failing to receive a concrete assurance from the government. Their demands include job security and regularisation, salary revision, social security, retirement benefits and implementation of the 7th Pay Commission.

In a statement issued, Inam said the government cannot afford to allow repeated protests by healthcare workers to become a permanent feature of the health system.

“Thousands of NHM employees have served the public health system for years.Click Here To Follow Our WhatsApp ChannelTheir concerns require a policy decision, not another round of assurances. The government must sit with their representatives and place a clear, time-bound roadmap on record,” he said.

Inam stressed that the dispute should not be allowed to adversely affect patients and essential healthcare services.

“The government has a responsibility to protect both the rights of healthcare workers and the interests of patients. Dialogue must lead to a concrete outcome before the situation escalates further,” Inam said. The NHM employees had earlier warned of intensified agitation if their demands remained unresolved.

Inam urged Chief Minister Omar Abdullah and Health Minister Sakina Itoo to personally intervene and ensure that the issue is resolved through a written, time-bound mechanism rather than temporary assurances.(KNS)