After protest, AIIMS-Bathinda nurses sent back from Patiala

Karam Prakash

Tribune News Service

Patiala, May 19

After the allegations of poor accommodation and food by the nursing staff of Bathinda-AIIMS, the nurses were sent back to their parent institution today.

Around 50 male nurses – who had been deployed at the isolation wing of Government Rajindra Hospital — were relieved by the Medical Superintendent of the hospital. Owing to the lodging and boarding issues, they could help at Covid ward of Rajindra Hospital only for two days.

Dr HS Rekhi, Medical Superintendent, Rajindra Hospital, said they had received a request from the authorities of Bathinda-AIIMS to send their staff back. However, Dr DK Singh, Director AIIMS, said, “The Rajindra authorities are sending the nurses back. We didn’t call them.”

The nursing staff of AIIMS had been protesting since last night against the government for not providing liveable housing in Patiala. The nursing staff were putting up at the boys hostel of Government Physical Education College here. The staff had gone on a hunger strike against the alleged ill-treatment by the government. The protesting male nurses said the authorities had asked four persons to stay in a room.

The Tribune visited the accommodation site and found that conditions at the hostel were not good. There was no water supply in some washrooms and rooms were dingy. Clogged toilets and broken bath fittings were seen in most of the bathrooms.

Mukesh Saini, a nurse, said, “Despite being on the forefront of the pandemic, the government, by giving such accommodation, degraded our profession and insulted us.”

The nurses said they had e-mailed a complaint to the district administration, however, the situation didn’t improve.

Meanwhile, Dr Rajan Singla, Principal, Government Medical College, said, “I, along with the Medical Superintendent, visited the accommodation and had food in the canteen. The accommodation is good.”

Dr Vitul K Gupta, health and human rights activist, demanded strong action against the officials responsible.

Stir uncalled for, says Soni

Chandigarh: “Running away from public service in the hour of crisis is a crime against humanity and the nursing staff of AIIMS-Bathinda have deceived their profession by abandoning the public amid the pandemic.” Punjab Medical Education and Research Minister Om Prakash Soni said on Wednesday, terming the agitation unwarranted and undesirable. TNS

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