The Journalists' Forum Assam (JFA) has appealed the Assam government to immediately launch a comprehensive health insurance scheme for the benefit of all working journalists of the state.
The JFA also urged the owners/managements of various newspapers and news channels of the region to extend support in the endeavour of the Forum.
The Forum in a press release today expressed concern over the serious health condition of two senior journalists undergoing treatment in a private hospital here.
The release issued by JFA president Rupam Barua and secretary Nava Thakuria said senior scribes Hiten Mahanta and Bhupen Borgohain are in a critical condition in the intensive care unit (ICU) of the hospital.
Mahanta, president of the All Assam Media Employees Federation and an independent journalist, was admitted in the hospital on Saturday, the release said.
Borgohain, who is working for the widely circulated Guwahati-based Assamese daily 'Asomiya Pratidin', was admitted to the same hospital the next day, it said.
The media Forum also appealed Chief Minister Tarun Gogoi to sanction necessary funds for the treatment of both Mahanta and Borgohain, besides requesting other media welfare organisations to contribute for the two ailing journalists' treatment.
