PGI nursing staff flag ‘poor’ living conditions in hostel

Nursing officers living in Nivedita Hostel at PGIMER, Chandigarh, have voiced their concern over the deteriorating condition of their accommodation and the unbearable summer heat that has made daily life increasingly difficult.

In an appeal addressed to PGI Director Prof Vivek Lal, they have urged the administration to take immediate steps to address both infrastructural shortcomings and the urgent need for air-conditioning in the hostel rooms. They have sought permission to install ACs at their own expense, pledging to follow necessary safety and technical protocols required by the administration.

In a separate letter, the nurses detailed numerous maintenance issues plaguing Nivedita Hostel. They highlighted blocked drainage, bathroom leakages, broken doors and exposed glass panes in washroom windows that compromise both hygiene and personal safety. Manjeek Kaur, president, PGI Nursing Association, criticised the lack of support for frontline healthcare workers. “We are expected to work tirelessly in understaffed wards, yet we return to rooms that offer no relief or dignity,” she said.