Sewri TB hosp staffers fight for economic benefits

As if acquiring Tuberculosis (TB) while on job is not enough, families of deceased staffers and those currently infected with TB are running from pillar to post to avail of their rightly deserved salary.   

33-year-old deceased staff nurse Poonam Gaikwad, an employee of Sewri TB Hospital, had not received her salary of up to four months. She earned Rs 30,000 per month. After her death, her family has not received any reimbursement. “She was one of the breadwinners of the family. We have old parents to tend to. Her salary for this and last year, has not been processed,” said Kavita, her sister. 

Sewri TB Hospital has close to 842 staff members. Since 1999, of the 218 who have contacted TB, up to 86 have died. A month and a half ago, Mangesh Sawant, 45, a ward boy at the hospital, was detected with abdominal TB.

Sawant has stopped receiving his salary since he proceeded on leave. “Unless there is specific diagnosis of TB, I was unable to accrue any benefits from Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC). I have submitted my paperwork now,” he said. 

Despite BMC rules, that all employees seeking treatment for TB in private or public hospitals will receive full financial support from the civic body, Sawant has had to spend from his own pocket. He has been seeking care in the private-run Global Hospital and has taken a loan of Rs 20,000 from his relatives. 

Since 2011, Mumbai Mazdoor Union is also fighting for the Sewri hospital staffers demanding risk allowance. “When fire brigade officials can get a risk allowance, why can’t the staffers in the hospital? A fire breaks out once in a while, but here the staffers are working under risk conditions 24x7. We are demanding a risk allowance of Rs 1,500 per month,” said Narkar.  

Ironically, only nurses in the hospital accrue a menial ‘infection allowance,’ of Rs 150 (one tenth of what is being demanded) currently, while the Class-IV employees receive nothing.