Lab Technicians' Body Warns of Intensified Protest Over Uttarakhand's Plan to Outsource Hospital Labs
The Medical Lab Technologists Association of Uttarakhand says the government has restarted a tender process to hand government hospital labs to private agencies despite earlier assurances to end privatisation.
Current Summary
According to a September 30 Pioneer Edge report, the Medical Lab Technologists Association of Uttarakhand has warned of intensified agitation after the state government restarted a tender process, through the National Health Mission, to hand over operation of government hospital laboratories to private agencies. Association president Ashish Chandra and general secretary Mayank Rana said the government had earlier promised to end privatisation of government labs and had formed a committee to strengthen in-house government labs and conduct all tests within the government system. Rana said the association questions why labs are being contracted out instead of filling vacant regular technician posts if the government intends to strengthen public health services. He said unemployed degree-holding lab technicians have been protesting at the Ekta Vihar dharna site for 135 days over their demands, and that a meeting promised by the Chief Minister to resolve the issue has been repeatedly postponed, increasing resentment among technicians. The association has demanded a halt to the tender process and warned of intensified agitation if it proceeds.
What We Know
- The state government has restarted a tender process, via the National Health Mission, to outsource government hospital labs to private agencies.
- The Medical Lab Technologists Association of Uttarakhand says this contradicts an earlier government assurance to end privatisation of labs.
- Association leaders say a committee had previously been formed to strengthen in-house government labs instead.
- Unemployed lab technicians have been protesting at the Ekta Vihar dharna site for 135 days.
- A meeting with the Chief Minister to resolve the dispute has been repeatedly postponed.
- The association has demanded the tender process be halted and warned of intensified agitation.
What Is Still Unclear
- The exact timeline or scale of the tender process.
- When or whether the promised meeting with the Chief Minister will take place.
- The government's response to the association's claims.
What Changed
- 30 Sept, 02:50 pmSignal detected: Lab Technicians' Body Warns of Intensified Protest Over Uttarakhand's Plan to Outsource Hospital Labs