Tribal woman guard says she cannot afford surgery amid financial distress
Key Points:
- Phoolkumari, posted at MGM Hospital, has not received honorarium for five months
- Woman says she needs urgent spinal surgery but lacks funds for treatment
- Colleagues console her after she breaks down during duty hours
JAMSHEDPUR – A woman home guard broke down in tears while on duty at MGM Medical College Hospital on Saturday morning. She had learned that her honorarium, pending for five months, would not be released even the following week.
The tribal home guard, identified as Phoolkumari, a resident of Bodam police station area, is battling severe financial hardship. She has also been suffering from unbearable pain near her spine for around six months.
According to information, Phoolkumari found out around 9 a.m. that there was no possibility of receiving her dues even in the coming week. She grew distressed upon hearing this and began weeping while on duty.
She said doctors have advised her to undergo an operation. However, she does not have the money required for the procedure, which is expected to cost several thousand rupees.
Phoolkumari has sought treatment at MGM Hospital as well as other government hospitals without relief. She is currently being treated by a doctor in Purulia, West Bengal.
She said she had asked her husband for financial help. He reportedly told her he had no money and that she should use her own honorarium for treatment.
Word of her distress spread quickly through the hospital premises. Several fellow home guards rushed to the spot and took her to the inquiry center for consolation.
Many of the guards present grew emotional themselves during the exchange. This is not the first such incident at the hospital involving unpaid dues.
About a week earlier, another tribal woman home guard at MGM Hospital had faced similar mental distress linked to non-payment of wages. She has since recovered following treatment and returned to duty.
Officials have previously acted on related payment delays. Municipal authorities assured full honorarium payment to sanitation workers last week after similar complaints. Meanwhile, honorarium and pension amounts were credited directly to beneficiaries’ accounts in East Singhbhum earlier this month.
MGM Hospital has separately witnessed staff protests over pay in recent months. Junior doctors went on strike in April and had earlier worn black badges in protest, demanding a hike in their stipend.
