Frontline health workers hand over memo to CDO for risk allowance

As many as a dozen frontline health workers at Damauli Hospital in Tanahu district who served during the first and second wave of COVID-19 have handed over a memo to the Chief District Officer (CDO) of the district demanding risk allowance.

The third wave of COVID-19 is spreading rapidly in the country. These frontline health workers on contract basis in the Hospital bemoan that they have not been paid risk allowance for nearly 18 months.

In the memo, the health workers called for the positive intervention of the CDO to release risk allowance for them. They have warned that they will not be able to continue their service if they are not provided with risk allowance which the government had pledged for frontline health workers in the first and second wave.

Frontline workers are at higher risks of COVID-19. The government had announced to ensure risk allowance to frontline workers (health workers and security personnel among others) serving amidst hazardous atmosphere caused by the COVID-19 pandemic.

Medical officers such as Dr Astha Regmi, Dr Diwas Dhakal, Dr Puja Saiju and Dr Krishna Giri among others submitted the memo to CDO Bishwa Prakash Aryal.

Dr Sinjan Pandey shared that they had been prodding the Hospital Development Committee officials for risk allowance but to no avail.

He said all the frontline health workers who risked their lives while treating the COVID-19 suspected and infected patients during the first, second and ongoing third wave were discouraged to work further as they are denied the allowance.

The memo also apologizes with the patients for the inconvenience that could cause to them if the disappointed doctors discontinue their services effective from February 6.

Damauli Hospital chief Dr Sunil Poudel informed that efforts were being made to provide risk allowances and salaries to the health workers. He said that the issue emanated from the delay in release of budget from the concerned agency.

According to Dr Poudel, the Hospital management has already drawn the attention of the concerned agencies for the same. The Ministry of Finance released the salary of two medical officers in the Hospital while allowances for other health workers were taking forever to be released, he said.