Chandigarh, May 19:
“Running away from public service in this hour of crisis is the crime against humanity and the nursing staff of AIIMS Bathinda has swindled with their profession by abandoning public on god’s mercy in this pandemic.”
Punjab Medical Education and Research Minister Om Prakash Soni today, while terming this agitation as unwarranted and undesirable, said that it was totally ridiculous at that time when we need to put all their resources in one direction to save the people.
In a press statement issued here today, Mr. Soni said that today entire world is battling to contain and break the chain of this highly contagious disease through doctors, staff nurses and paramedical staff. Appreciating the social workers role to provide succour to patients, he said that when everyone is engaged to save the humanity but the nursing staff of AIIMS Bathinda which was sent to Rajinder Hospital to take care of the corona patients, was deliberately endangered the lives of the people by staging unethical protests.
The Cabinet Minister informed that 400 staff nurses were recruited at AIIMS Bathinda in past and now only 45 level 2 beds and 20 level 3 beds were being available in AIIMS Bathinda. Due to which the Director AIIMS Bathinda with the approval of Government of India had decided to send the nursing staff in groups of 50-50 for the duty in four government medical colleges of the state. He said that when the Patiala district administration had know about the arrival of staff nurses from AIIMS, then they instantly arranged the accommodation for these nurses in government women’s hostel of Prof. Gurrsewak Singh Government Physical Education College, Patiala and all the necessary arrangements were made for the accommodation such as cleaning, sanitation and hygienic facilities. He said that all the facilities were duly checked by warden in the presence of SDM Patiala, Principal Government of Medical College and Medical Superintendent. Mr. Soni stated that nutritious food was also being provided to these nurses in the Hostel Mess, the quality of which was personally checked by the Principal Government Medical College and the Medical Superintendent.
Mr. Soni the rest of the demands of these nursing staff were met on the spot. These also demanding coolers and fridge in every room and air conditioner bus to ferry them to Rajindra Hospital and the department and the district administration is tryouts arrange these things.
Mr. Soni said that when these nurses have been taken for duty, then the Male nurse told that they could not wear PPE kit and also showed inability to take samples, while on duty in the ward. They also indulged in spat with higher authorities and misbehaved.
Instructing to sent back the male nurses on heir parent positions, Mr. Soni also expressed doubts that the entire episode seems to be politically motivated.
