Employees annoyed over Director Health Services’ “work from home”

Srinagar : At a time when doctors and paramedics are fighting valiantly on the ground against COVID-19, the Director Health Kashmir’s “work from home” has annoyed the employees of department.

There are hundreds of doctors, nurses and other officials who work round the clock to treat COVID-19 patients even unmindful of their health.

They are the front-line warriors against coronavirus. Even a doctor and nurse have also been infected in Kashmir so far.

“Since lockdown Director Sahab has hardly come to the office. Mostly he stays at home and works from there. Some of the officials have to visit his home for any official work,” an official wishing anonymity told news agency KINS.

Despite Health Department comes under emergency services, the official said very less officials attend their duties at Directorate of Health Services office.

“When head of the department does not regularly come to office, how one can expect other officials to attend duties. There is total chaos and confusion in the Department. There is no accountability,” the official said.

Government has also deputed State Immunization Officer Directorate of Family Welfare MCH and Immunization as OSD in the Directorate of Health Services Kashmir to assist in Covid- situation. “The Director has made Divisional Nutrition Officer as In-charge Deputy Director Headquarters and has kept another retired official with him. These all are working from his home while as services of one of the deputy directors and  assistant directors are not being properly utilized,” the official said.

A doctor in one of the hospitals in Srinagar said he rarely gets time to talk to his family. “I go home for few hours to change and sanitize myself. It is humanitarian crisis so doctors and paramedics have to be on the forefront in these tough times,” the doctor said.

A nurse said they have to do their duties although there was a greater risk involved.

“It is not favor to anyone. It is our duty which we have to fulfill. Unlike Director Sahab, we can’t stay at home in these times,” she said.

When KINS contacted Director Health Services, Kashmir Dr Samir Matoo he admitted he was “working from home”.

“It is a compulsion to work from home. There is no wifi, telephone and system in my office where I can work. Otherwise why I would work from home. In the present situation we need all the facilities like WiFi, telephone and other important system. I have to get connected with my seniors for the important updates regarding the Coronavirus efforts, he told news agency KINS.

He added he goes to office whenever it is needed.

Asked why Department is not utilizing services of various officers, he replied, “All are doing their duties. We have assigned work to officials as per their caliber.”

Regarding one of the retire officials namely Dr G. M Chuloo who is also working from his home, the Director said that they have utilized the services of at least 10 officials and that everyone have been given the assignment in the present situation.(KINS)