Patients in dire straits as Nischay Yan drivers cease work in Uluberia Hospital

Kolkata: Health services have been affected at Uluberia Sub-Divisional Hospital after the drivers of 'Nischay Yan' started ceasework on Monday.

As a result of the incident, the patients, more particularly mothers and their newborn babies, faced inconveniences.

The state government had started the 'Nischay Yan' scheme under the Janani Shishu Suraksha Karyakram (JSSK) a few years ago, which entitled expecting women to avail ambulance services before and after their deliveries, completely free of cost. Women belonging to below poverty line (BPL) class were supposed to avail the facilities. Under the scheme, transportation is provided to the patients during their admission and release from the hospitals.

The state government had faced some challenges in implementing the scheme, mainly because of the drivers who often charge the patients arbitrarily. There had been a series of complaints against the ambulance operators.

Due to the strike of the Nischay Yan drivers, patients who were released from the hospital faced problems. They had to hire outside ambulances at higher costs.

Abhijit Das, a relative of a patient said that when they went to the office of the Nischay Yan for hiring an ambulance, the office was closed. They came to know that the drivers have started a ceasework.

Taking advantage of the situation, outside ambulance drivers were found to be charging exorbitantly.

The drivers of Nischay Yan, however, claimed that they have not been getting their salary for the past three months. They also threatened to continue ceasework till they get their dues.