Meer Irfan
For over a decade, healthcare workers recruited under the National Rural Health Mission (NRHM) have been serving in some of the most remote and challenging areas of Jammu Kashmir, including Uri, Kupwara, and Ladakh.
Families of the workers told The Kashmiriyat that despite their unwavering dedication to serving marginalized communities, they continue to endure prolonged isolation, harsh climates, and separation from their families, taking a severe toll on their mental, emotional, and physical well-being.
One of these workers, a resident of Hajin, Bandipora, has been posted at Sub-District Hospital Uri for nearly two decades. His son, Faisal Javaid Khan highlighted the distress his family has been facing due to his father’s prolonged absence.
“My father, an employee of the Health Department, Government of Jammu Kashmir, has been posted at Sub-District Hospital, Uri, for nearly two decades. Our family is in distress because of his prolonged absence. At home, it’s just my mother and me, since my brother is studying in Kerala. Despite repeatedly approaching the Health Department and government officials for his transfer, our requests remained unheard,” Faisal said.
As a Class 11 student, Faisal said, he is suffering from depression due to the emotional burden of not having my father around. “He comes home only once every 15 or even 20 days, leaving us to cope on our own in his absence,” said the 17 year old.
Faisal’s plea is not an isolated case. Many healthcare workers and their families are struggling under similar circumstances.
Three of his father’s colleagues have reportedly lost their lives to depression, unable to cope with the continuous neglect of their appeals for fair transfers.
Faisal’s mother has been battling high blood pressure for the past two months, while he himself suffers from anxiety attacks.
“For the past two months, my mother has been battling high blood pressure, and I suffer from anxiety attacks. With my father away, I am often forced to rely on neighbours for support. My father himself is a thyroid patient, and the long travel to his workplace is taking a toll on his health,” he told The Kashmiriyat.
“I request CM, Omar Abdullah and Health Minister, Sakina Itoo to recognise the sacrifices of these employees. They have dedicated their lives to public service. They deserve a structured transfer policy so they can reunite with their families and lead a normal life.”
The issue of healthcare workers being forced to remain in remote areas for extended periods has been raised multiple times before, yet their demands remain unaddressed.
Protests have been met with force, including lathi charges and arrests, but the employees have continued their service despite government neglect.
“I want to send a message to everyone. This is not the first time this issue has been raised. Protests have been held in the past, where healthcare employees were beaten, lathi-charged, and injured for simply demanding their rights. The government has ignored and avoided them, yet the same employees returned to their duties, showing their commitment to society,” Faisal expressed.
Even today, some of them are still posted in border areas despite their requests for transfer.
As per Faisal, a local lab assistant from Kupwara recently died due to a cardiac arrest.
“He also struggled with the same issues and could only go home once in one or two months. In the end, it was his family that suffered while he lost life due to government negligence. These employees face the harsh reality of no pension, no benefits, and meagre wages.”
The families have urged administration to take immediate action.
“I urge Chief Minister Omar Abdullah to address this issue. It has been over 100 days, yet the government has taken no action. Before the elections, they made promises of change, claiming they would ensure fairness and equal treatment,” said Faisal.
“However,” he said, “after elections, nothing has changed and the politicians are nowhere to be found, leaving us helpless. The National Conference has done nothing to address this crisis.”
He appealed to the administration, CM Omar Abdullah, and Health Minister Sakina Itoo to take immediate action.
“The dedication of healthcare workers in Jammu Kashmir’s remote areas should not be met with government apathy and neglect. Their contributions must be recognized through a fair transfer policy,” Faisal appealed.