Patient Services Affected at TvMCH Amid Ongoing Protest by Contract Employees
Patient care services at Tirunelveli Medical College Hospital were reportedly disrupted on Thursday as a strike by a section of contract workers entered its 14th consecutive day. The prolonged protest has led to operational challenges at the government hospital, raising concerns over sanitation, water supply, and maintenance services inside the campus.
According to reports, nearly 95 contract employees, including plumbers, technicians, and lift operators, have continued their work boycott in protest against the appointment of a new manpower contractor at the hospital.
Workers Oppose New Contractor and Revised Work Conditions
The protesting workers were originally hired through a manpower agency in 2019. However, after the hospital administration introduced a new agency already supplying manpower to TvMCH, the employees allegedly refused to continue under the revised arrangement.
The workers claimed that the new contract conditions would require them to work beyond eight hours a day while reducing their job roles into only two broad categories — cleaning staff and security personnel.
The employees argued that the revised terms could negatively impact both their working conditions and professional designations.
Hospital Administration Faces Operational Challenges
With the strike continuing for two weeks, hospital authorities are reportedly facing difficulties in maintaining routine patient services and infrastructure management.
Social activists alleged that several essential services, including sanitation and water supply management, were affected due to the shortage of staff. They further claimed that large quantities of garbage had accumulated within the hospital premises and had not been cleared promptly.
Concerns were also raised regarding water availability in the dialysis ward, which caters to critical kidney patients requiring uninterrupted treatment support.
Dean Denies Allegations of Service Breakdown
Responding to the allegations, TvMCH Dean C Revathi Balan denied claims of major service disruption.
She stated that the manpower agency had already deployed replacement workers to compensate for the absence of the protesting employees. Addressing concerns over water shortages, the Dean clarified that the hospital was effectively managing water supply requirements through multiple sources.
“We have our own water source, like a well, and also get water from the corporation,” she said.
Previous Controversy at TvMCH
Last year, Tirunelveli Medical College Hospital was also in the spotlight after a doctor accused of allegedly fabricating medical records in a road accident case was removed from service. The doctor had reportedly stated that the accident victim was intoxicated at the time of the incident, leading to serious controversy and administrative action.
