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Hubballi: In 2013, the Karnataka government launched the Arogyavani helpline – 104 – to provide medical advice to people over the phone. Two call centres were set up – one each in Hubballi, at the IT Park, and in Bengaluru, at CV Raman Hospital – wherein patients could explain their problems, and seek advice. Now, after nine years, the government has shut down both these call centres.
Hyderabad-based agency that was tasked with operating both the call centres since their inception is reported to have terminated its contract. The two call centres were closed on February 15, rendering nearly 500 employees jobless.
Mallikarjun S, Sangamesh Mitlkod and Veeresh H, who worked in the capacity of medical and registration officers, at the Hubballi call centre, said that the government offered no proper reason for shutting down these facilities. “There are nearly 250 employees at the Hubballi centre, all of whom are now jobless, with the facility having been shut this abruptly,” they said.
They pointed out that employees at the call centre worked round-the-clock in three shifts. “We offered useful tips to the callers to help them deal with their illnesses, and advising them on when to approach the doctor for advanced treatment. We were also able to arrange blood for patients, and source information on the nearest hospitals,” they said.
More importantly, many people contemplating suicide were offered counselling, more so following the lockdown that was enforced in the wake of the Covid-19 outbreak. “Before the onset of the pandemic, we received 17,000 to 18,000 calls daily, but the number soared to 50,000 calls later. We also helped the state government battle the pandemic. But we are facing a bleak future,” they rued.
They said that the Hyderabad-based agency in question had not provided them with gratuity, nor had the firm given the employees any increment for two years. Drawing the attention of the government to their plight, they urged the state to entrust the contract to another agency, and guarantee their jobs.
Government nodal officer f0r Arogyavani Prabhudev Gowda said, “The agency terminated the contract with the government, forcing us to shut the call centres in Bengaluru and Hubballi. For now, we are routing calls to the Bruhat Bengaluru Mahanagara Palike call centre. We will soon invite tenders to operate the call centres, and will restart the facilities in Bengaluru and Hubballi. We will not hire new staff, and retain all the old employees.”
Hyderabad-based agency that was tasked with operating both the call centres since their inception is reported to have terminated its contract. The two call centres were closed on February 15, rendering nearly 500 employees jobless.
Mallikarjun S, Sangamesh Mitlkod and Veeresh H, who worked in the capacity of medical and registration officers, at the Hubballi call centre, said that the government offered no proper reason for shutting down these facilities. “There are nearly 250 employees at the Hubballi centre, all of whom are now jobless, with the facility having been shut this abruptly,” they said.
They pointed out that employees at the call centre worked round-the-clock in three shifts. “We offered useful tips to the callers to help them deal with their illnesses, and advising them on when to approach the doctor for advanced treatment. We were also able to arrange blood for patients, and source information on the nearest hospitals,” they said.
More importantly, many people contemplating suicide were offered counselling, more so following the lockdown that was enforced in the wake of the Covid-19 outbreak. “Before the onset of the pandemic, we received 17,000 to 18,000 calls daily, but the number soared to 50,000 calls later. We also helped the state government battle the pandemic. But we are facing a bleak future,” they rued.
They said that the Hyderabad-based agency in question had not provided them with gratuity, nor had the firm given the employees any increment for two years. Drawing the attention of the government to their plight, they urged the state to entrust the contract to another agency, and guarantee their jobs.
Government nodal officer f0r Arogyavani Prabhudev Gowda said, “The agency terminated the contract with the government, forcing us to shut the call centres in Bengaluru and Hubballi. For now, we are routing calls to the Bruhat Bengaluru Mahanagara Palike call centre. We will soon invite tenders to operate the call centres, and will restart the facilities in Bengaluru and Hubballi. We will not hire new staff, and retain all the old employees.”
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