Dialysis patients in Karnataka hit as staff of 122 government units launch indefinite strike 

Strike is likely to continue on Friday as staff are protesting against reduction in salary and dues

Over 4,000 renal patients undergoing dialysis in 122 government-run units across Karnataka have been hit following a protest by employees of these units on Thursday.

Demanding restoration of the salaries paid before the transfer of the dialysis scheme from BRS Health and Research Institute to Kolkata-based ESKAG Sanjeevini Pvt. Ltd. in January this year, nearly 500 employees, including dialysis technicians, nurses and ‘D’ group staff, manning the 122 dialysis units, staged a protest at Freedom Park in the city on Thursday.

Following this, patients due for dialysis on Thursday either missed the life-saving procedure or were forced to get it done a day before. Not satisfied with the Health Department’s assurance that their demands will be met within the next two months after consultation with the company, the dialysis staff have continued their strike.

Patients staged snap protests in front of the dialysis units in various districts. The situation is likely to worsen on Friday for many who are due for dialysis.

Chandrashekar, a technician from Arasikere in Hassan district, said the new agency is paying salaries that are far less than what they were getting earlier.

“I was getting a consolidated monthly salary of close to ₹25,000 earlier. But, after the new agency took over my salary reduced to ₹13,800. Moreover, the previous agency has not paid our wages for two months (June-July, 2021) saying that the Health Department has not cleared their payment,” he said.

Chetan R., another technician H.D. Kote taluk hospital in Mysuru district, said their other benefits such as PF and ESI contributions were also not being paid by the new agency.