All’s not well with the nursing and paramedic sector, according to the findings of a committee appointed by the Kerala Government.
A seven-member committee chaired by Dr S. Balaraman has submitted its report to Mr V. S. Sivakumar, Minister of Health.
The committee was appointed after nurses and paramedics struck work in a private hospital demanding better working conditions and pay.
The committee found that the guidelines of the Indian Nursing Council governing appointment and career promotions were being flouted by most private hospitals.
“The Government must take the initiative to ensure that adequately qualified people are recruited in the sector and an acceptable working environment is created.”
Nurses have had to put in extra hours without being adequately compensated for want of clearly defined work rules, terms and conditions.
The Balaraman Committee plumped for an eight-hour duty schedule aggregating to no more than 48 working hours in a week in three shifts.
It also recommended wages in the following scales: Staff nurse (Rs 12,900); senior staff nurse (with three-year experience, Rs 13,650); head nurse (Rs 15,150); deputy nursing superintendent (Rs 17,740); and nursing officer (Rs 21,360).
The committee observed that inadequate numbers had resulted in heavy work loads, affecting the quality of service. The strength of the support staff too was inadequate.
It took exception to the practice of the bond system in which certificates and other credentials are impounded at the time of appointment and excess work extracted.
The committee visited all 14 districts in the State to conduct sittings and gather evidence.
The other members were: Prof Prasannakumari Y. (Deputy Director, Nursing Education); Dr V. Geetha (Director, Medical Education); Dr Jameela P. K. (Director, Health Services); Prof Latha R. (Registrar, Kerala Nurses and Midwives Council); Prof Salomi George and Ms Devaki P. (Additional Director, Nursing Services).