Cuttack’s Acharya Harihar Regional Cancer Centre witnessed major disruption on Wednesday as attendants launched a work-stoppage protest.
The agitation began over demands for pending salary payments, and as a result, patient services suffered heavily.
First, more than 200 attendants gathered inside the hospital premises to voice their grievances. They alleged that their dues had not been cleared for months. Consequently, they refused to resume duties until authorities addressed their demands.
Next, the protest created serious difficulties for patients and families who rely on attendants for essential support. Hospital authorities faced mounting pressure as the strike continued. Moreover, the agitation highlighted long-standing issues of wage delays and poor working conditions in government-run healthcare institutions.
Meanwhile, patients and relatives expressed deep concern over the disruption. They urged officials to resolve the matter quickly. However, attendants remained firm in their stand, insisting that salary clearance was their basic right.
Finally, the incident drew attention to the urgent need for better management of contractual staff in hospitals. In particular, critical facilities like cancer care centres require uninterrupted patient support, making the timely resolution of such disputes essential.
