One of the main causes for lack of proper healthcare hasbeen the virtually perennial shortage of trained nursing staff in differenthospitals and health centres. It has been reported after a thorough survey thatthere is a severe shortage of nursing staff in spite of a large number oftrained nurses available in the whole state.
According to Indian Public Health Standards (IPHS), the J& K hospitals should have 3193 nurses on rolls, but there are only 1290sanctioned posts of nurses. Of the sanctioned posts there are only 857 nursesin place, while as 433 posts are vacant. As perIndian Nursing Council standards, J&K hospitals require 2,635 nurses to runpatient care smoothly. However, only 1,410 nursing posts are at presentsanctioned by the health department.
Reportedly, as compared totertiary-care hospitals, the hospitals associated with Government MedicalCollege (GMC) Srinagar are in a dismal condition.
Official documents have alsopointed out the dire need for 1,526 paramedics in primary health centres,community health centres, and hospitals. Mostof the paramedics, especially nurses, are overburdened as they are working forlong hours. The norms of the MCI and NCI, which recommend one nurse for onepatient in ICUs and one nurse for four patients in general wards, are notfulfilled.
For some unknown reasons thegovernment apathy towards nurses working in different hospitals has hasresulted in immense hardships not only to them but to the patients whose careround the clock they are supposed to take. Recently the government hassanctioned five new medical colleges for which staff, including the nursingstaff, is being presently recruited. The staff is supposed to be recruited onfast track.
The new medical colleges arecoming up in Doda, Kathua, Anantnag, Baramulla and Rajouri districts. It hasbeen observed that the recruitment is open to people from all districts. It hasbeen usually observed that the staff, including doctors, avoid going outsideSrinagar.
Not to talk of rural areas, someeven avoid posting in district headquarters and often get themselves attachedto the Srinagar Medical College even though their salaries are drawn from ruralpostings. It would be advisable for the authorities recruiting staff for newmedical colleges to give preference to the trained persons available inrespective districts.
It would ensure a better nursingand care to patients admitted to hospitals attached with the new medicalcolleges. There is urgent need for the government to review this subject ofinadequate nursing care and take urgent corrective measures.
Government also needs to check the status of the trainednursing staff in private hospitals functioning in different parts of the state.These too need to be brought on the standards fixed by the Ministry of Healthand Family Welfare both in terms of the proper healthcare of the patients aswell as the emoluments given to them.