Noida: Several services at the Government Institute of Medical Sciences (GIMS) have remained hit for over a week as around 700 non-teaching staff, including nurses, clerks and technicians, have struck work over service regulations. The agitation, which began on June 15, has severely impacted hospital operations, with inpatient admissions dropping sharply from around 480 to just 50-60.The protesting employees, many of whom were recruited as contractual staff during the Covid pandemic, are demanding regularisation and promotions without examinations. They said they are now facing uncertainty over their future.Hospital authorities, however, said permanent appointments can only be made through the prescribed govt recruitment process and that the administration has repeatedly engaged with employee representatives to address their concerns.Dinesh Kumar, a paramedical staff member participating in the protest, told TOI that the employees were seeking job security after years of service. “Many of us joined GIMS during the Covid crisis and worked on the frontlines when healthcare workers were needed the most. We have spent years serving the hospital on contractual salaries ranging between Rs 20,000 and Rs 30,000 a month. Our demand is that our services be regularised and our experience be recognised instead of asking us to compete for the same posts again,” he said.The protesters also alleged that the ongoing recruitment process does not adequately acknowledge the experience gained by contractual staff who have been working in the institution for years.“Despite our presence, a lot of recruitment has been going on for the positions. If there is a vacancy, why are we not given a permanent position?” a protester said.GIMS director Brig (Dr) Rakesh Kumar Gupta said the strike has continued despite sustained efforts by the GIMS administration to address their concerns. Gupta said the administration provided detailed clarifications and written assurances that the services of existing outsourced employees will not be adversely affected by the currently advertised regular non-teaching posts.“The employees continue to insist on regularisation without appearing in any competitive examination. Recruitment for permanent posts is being conducted strictly in accordance with govt-mandated rules and there is currently no provision under which outsourced personnel can be granted direct permanent appointments without undergoing the prescribed selection process,” he said.According to officials, while OPD services continued and recorded over 1,000 patient visits on Monday, hospital operations could not function at full capacity.“Faculty members, resident doctors, interns and students have worked tirelessly to ensure continuity of healthcare services. All OPDs, emergency services and diagnostic facilities, including MRI, CT scan, X-ray and laboratory services, are now functioning. On Monday, 1,082 patients attended various OPDs and 38 fresh admissions were recorded,” said an official.
