Doctor on contract loses Covid battle in Delhi

Sakshi Chand | TNN | Updated: Jul 21, 2020, 05:38 IST

Picture used for representational purpose only

NEW DELHI: Dr Javed, a 42-year-old contractual employee with Delhi government, breathed his last on Monday fighting Covid-19 for almost a month. He didn’t suffer from any comorbidities. His death has sent shock waves through the ranks of contractual workers, who have not been given any health benefits by the government.
The association of such doctors is now contemplating either going on a strike or tendering their resignation. Their decision would depend on their meeting with Delhi health minister Satyendar Jain.

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Across India, health workers have perished battling coronavirus. Each of them is a war hero, a ratna of Bharat. It is sad that the deceased’s family is being denied health benefits in this case because he was a contractual worker. A welfare state must find ways and means to help them. That’s the least one can do for those putting their life on the line in these extraordinary times.

In the first week of July, TOI had reported how contractual employees had been demanding health benefits, more importantly in the time of Covid. Those employed under National Health Mission (NHM) on contract were braving the apathy of the government and left to fend for themselves.
Javed is survived by his wife, Dr Heena Kausar, who works with a private hospital in Haryana, and two children, a son aged six and a 12-year-old daughter. A weeping Kausar told TOI over the phone that contractual workers, whether doctors or paramedics, were risking theirs and the lives of family members working every day during this pandemic.
“My husband is no more and nothing can fill that void. But it’s high time the government does something for their employees who are taking care of the public. The least the government can do is ensure health benefits. My children are young and there is a long road ahead for them,” said Kausar.
When Javed tested positive for Covid-19, his wife had to rush him to a private hospital in Haryana from where he was brought back to Delhi for treatment.
A doctor working on contract said, “We have been demanding health benefits for around a decade now. The government should give it to all employees who contact the virus. We have also been fighting the battle of deduction of leaves during our quarantine period.”
Dr Alka Choudhary, Delhi president of NHM Doctors’ Welfare Association, said, “Dr Javed was dedicated to his profession and kept working every day to treat Covid-positive patients. He fought a long battle with the virus before he succumbed to it. His wife should be given compensation within a week without having to run around for it. We have also sent an email to the health minister to meet us in person and resolve our issues. The fraternity is demoralised and demotivated with Javed’s demise.”