Bhopal (Madhya Pradesh): Seven contractual workers have been terminated from services over forged cancer screening, however, no action has been taken against the Block Medical Officers (BMOs), who verified those forged screening reports.
Seven contractual community health workers from Ujjain, Sagar, Anuppur, Jabalpur, Dhar, Ashoknagar and Betul districts have been removed from services on grounds of forgery. NHM Director Dr Saloni Sadana said that the administration has sought explanation from the BMOs regarding the irregularities in the screening process.
As per National Health Mission (NHM), the community health officers/workers were posted in these centers to provide various health services including maternal health, child health, non-communicable diseases, tuberculosis.
However, these workers committed moral fraud with the poor people by withdrawing money without giving any services. They submitted forged cancer screening data to the BMOs of their respective areas and the latter allegedly made the payment after duly verifying the records.
As per National Health Mission (NHM), in accordance with the Human Resource Manual of National Health Mission Madhya Pradesh 2025, action for termination of service has been taken against contract officers, employees for misconduct and irregularities.
Meanwhile, Jitendra Bhadauria, state president of contractual health workers, has demanded action against the BMOs who verified the screening report.
“After verification from chief medical block officers and CMHOs, health workers who are assigned the screening of cervical cancer, are paid. So if contractual health workers are removed on grounds of forgery, action should also be taken against higher ups who verified the screening report. But so far no action has been taken against them. Health workers are being made scapegoats,” alleged Bhadauria.
Dr Saloni Sadana NHM Director said “ Investigation is underway in forgery cases. Initially, seven community health workers have been removed from services over forgery. NHM administration has sought explanation from BMO (Block medical officers) and others higher ups for their role in the entire screening process.”
