Despite nurses from Kerala being compelled to seek better salaries and opportunities in foreign countries, the health department denies them the chance to work in government hospitals.
Even after two years since the Nursing Officer Grade-2 rank list was published, the government shows reluctance in making appointments. Out of over 7,000 names on the list, less than ten percent were recruited, with only 479 individuals being selected.
Meanwhile, the number of patients seeking treatment in government hospitals has been steadily increasing due to the rise in communicable diseases. However, the government is failing to address the nurse vacancies adequately.
The health department’s refusal to recruit nurses in government hospitals not only deprives the nurses of job opportunities but also hampers patients’ rights to receive better treatment from government hospitals. Consequently, patients are forced to seek medical care in private hospitals.
It has been alleged that the District Medical Officers, who were responsible for reporting the vacancies to the Public Service Commission (PSC), failed to do so, allegedly under the instructions of the health department. This lack of notification and delay in promoting nurses has led to a dearth of vacancies. Moreover, there are ongoing complaints that nurses’ promotions have been on hold for seven years.
The government’s unannounced decision to halt new recruitments and allegations of financial crisis further contribute to the current situation. Nonetheless, hospitals still require nurses to provide patient care and administer medication, despite the government’s financial constraints. It is crucial for the government to consider the plight of the numerous patients who rely on government hospitals for treatment.
As a result of this neglect by the government, nurses from Kerala are going to foreign countries in search of better salary and opportunities.
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