The allegation of fraud nurses being absorbed in the National Health Mission and government hospitals through fake certificates by the state’s nursing bodies is indeed a serious allegation and authorities need to initiate measures to get to the root of the matter.

Arunachal is already facing a huge manpower crunch in the health department. Last year, the government of Arunachal Pradesh created 2541 posts under the Department of Health and Family Welfare in order to revamp the health delivery system in the state which is definitely a right intervention. However, allegations like the above will prove counter-productive.

Since, the advent of medicine, nurses have been pivotal in disseminating healthcare to people and their importance and respect they command is nothing short of that given to doctors. The dedication of Indian nurses is known over the world and sisters especially from the southern states make a considerable chunk of the workforce in western countries.

However, in reality nurses face immense challenges despite discharging important role. Factors such as lack of exposure and unreasonable working hours involving a laughable pay pushes many to look for greener pastures. Given these factors, it's no wonder that the country is reeling under a steep shortage of nurses. India currently faces a 50% shortage of nursing staff due to demand outstripping supply and many nurses preferring to work overseas for higher compensation. The Indian healthcare sector ideally requires one nurse for every patient suffering critical illness and five nurses for every patient in psychiatric cases. 

While corruption and nepotism is rampant in all departments, greater effort must be put in to ensure that specialized professions such as nursing are encapsulated from this vice. Nursing apart from being a demanding job also requires live saving skills and the absorption of fake nurses in this profession will not just demoralise the ‘real’ nursing community but also shatter the confidence of patients.

---

Kenter Joya Riba

(Managing Editor)
      She is a graduate in Science with post graduation in Sociology from University of Pune. She has been in the media industry for nearly a decade. Before turning to print business, she has been associated with radio and television.
Email: kenterjoyaz@easternsentinel.in / editoreasternsentinel@gmail.com
Phone: 0360-2212313

<< Back to News List