Anti-dengue campaigns: Overburdened workers dismayed with drive
Twelve health workers recently called it quits two days after starting their jobs
RAWALPINDI:
The city’s anti-dengue drive has been adversely affected due to the workload on health workers, non-cooperation from the public and delayed action by the district government. An official of the health department told The Express Tribune that 12 health workers recently called it quits two days after starting their jobs.
The district health department had hired 200 lady health workers (LHW) last year who were supposed to join the anti-dengue drive but 53 of them were a no-show and refused to join when summoned. To cover the gap, the health department was forced to hire as many health workers on a contract basis.
“After performing their duty for two days, 12 of the health workers did not return due to people’s misbehaviour with them and tough working conditions,” said the official. He explained that the LHWs are directed to be on duty early in the morning and work till after evening.
The official said strict monitoring by the commissioner, DCO, health department and Punjab government has also complicated their activities and each of them receives nonstop calls from their offices.
“Concerned officials at the offices call them after every couple of hours and inquire about their daily performance. They are issued show-cause notices in case they miss a locality. These repeated calls have also made their job hard,” the official added.
Prioritising polio
Officials of the health department believe the government should have started the drive to stem dengue in March this year.
But instead, the department engaged health workers and public teachers in
anti-polio drives to contain the transmission of poliovirus.
“The government engaged the workers in polio campaigns ignoring the dengue larva and started the drive late in September when the cases started surfacing,” the official said.
Published in The Express Tribune, October 27th, 2014.
The city’s anti-dengue drive has been adversely affected due to the workload on health workers, non-cooperation from the public and delayed action by the district government. An official of the health department told The Express Tribune that 12 health workers recently called it quits two days after starting their jobs.
The district health department had hired 200 lady health workers (LHW) last year who were supposed to join the anti-dengue drive but 53 of them were a no-show and refused to join when summoned. To cover the gap, the health department was forced to hire as many health workers on a contract basis.
“After performing their duty for two days, 12 of the health workers did not return due to people’s misbehaviour with them and tough working conditions,” said the official. He explained that the LHWs are directed to be on duty early in the morning and work till after evening.
The official said strict monitoring by the commissioner, DCO, health department and Punjab government has also complicated their activities and each of them receives nonstop calls from their offices.
“Concerned officials at the offices call them after every couple of hours and inquire about their daily performance. They are issued show-cause notices in case they miss a locality. These repeated calls have also made their job hard,” the official added.
Prioritising polio
Officials of the health department believe the government should have started the drive to stem dengue in March this year.
But instead, the department engaged health workers and public teachers in
anti-polio drives to contain the transmission of poliovirus.
“The government engaged the workers in polio campaigns ignoring the dengue larva and started the drive late in September when the cases started surfacing,” the official said.
According to the health department, over 600 patients have been tested positive this year in the public hospitals of the city and several continue to be admitted on a daily basis.
Published in The Express Tribune, October 27th, 2014.