Nursing staff resume their protest in in Amritsar, health services hit

Tribune News Service

Amritsar, December 7

Medical services at government hospitals were hit hard on Tuesday after the nursing staff resumed their protest against the state government alleging that it has failed to fulfil its promises.

The nurses at the Government Medical College, Civil Hospital, sub-divisional hospitals, PHCs and CHCs took part in the protest. The employees held the protests earlier last month too but had later resumed duties after getting assurance from deputy CM Om Parkash Soni, who also holds the portfolio of health.

Punjab Nursing Association vice-president Lakhwinder Kaur Samra said, “The government has failed to consider our demands. Now, the protest will continue till our demands are accepted.” The association stated that the protests would be held from 9 am to 4 pm every day.

The association has also announced to boycott emergency services, besides evening and night shifts. The employees complained that the new pay commission has threatened their early grade pay of Rs 4,600 which would get reduced to Rs 3,800.

Besides, the nurses have been demanding renaming of the cadre as nursing officers, special professional allowance in view of their odd duty hours and other benefits. The association claimed that nurses in many other states and those working under the central government are getting a special nursing allowance of Rs 7,000 per month. It stated that due to odd working hours and rotational shifts, the family life of employees had been affected.

Association president Palwinder Kaur said they regretted the inconvenience caused to the patients. “But the responsibility for the loss of the services for patients is of the government and the health minister as the employees had earlier ended the protest after they were assured by the state government,” she added.

The nursing staff at government hospitals is crucial for rendering proper medical services and in their absence, the poor patients, especially those admitted indoors are at a loss.

Key demands

Nurses have been demanding renaming of the cadre as nursing officers, special professional allowance in view of their odd duty hours and other benefits. The association claimed that nurses in many other states and those working under the Central government were getting a special nursing allowance of Rs 7,000 per month. It stated that due to odd working hours and rotational shifts, the family life of employees had been affected.

NHM staff block national highway

Tarn Taran: Demanding regularisation, employees of the National Health Mission (NHM), staged a protest on the national highway (No. 54) and blocked traffic on Tuesday. Agitating staffers submitted a memorandum to Additional Deputy Commissioner (Development) Paramjit Kaur. Ayurveda and Homoeopathic Medical Officers, ASHA workers and staff nurses participated in the dharna. Jasbir Singh, district chief, National Health Mission, said the state government was dilly-dallying their regularisation. He said they have been working in the department for the past 15 years. OC