Health Workers continue to oppose privatization despite Punjab’s U-turn

Ferozepur, January 23, 2019: The Punjab government has already taken a U-turn over privatizing various health institutions in the rural areas saying that there is no such move.  But the protests by the Health Workers continue to oppose a public notice which had appeared in various newspapers in which the state Health Department had invited expression of interest for bids to run primary health centres, community health centres and urban community health centres in public-private partnership – PPP – mode.

Punjab Health Minister Brahm Mahindra had already said that intent was only to strengthen the public health care system and that only one or two institutions would be tried on a pilot basis and there will be no extra burden on the patients. 

Ravinder Luthra, State Convener, health employees unions still suspect that the trial of the move to privatize on a pilot basis is to later privatize the health services.  He said instead of filling the vacant posts of doctors and paramedical staff as promised during the elections, is cheating with the public as well as with the employees and backing out from its commitment to provide the health services in the rural areas. 

He said, with the privatization, the health services will become costly and beyond the reach of common man.  With the existing arrangements, the majority of the population is already compelled to get the health services in private hospitals.

Addressing the protesters, Luthra said, the decision of privatization of health services in the state be taken back and make arrangements to fill up all the vacant posts in the health department.  He also threatened to intensify the agitation at the state level in case the decision of privatization of health services is not rolled back.