‘Will strain workforce; instead apply INC norms’
Irfan Tramboo
Srinagar, Apr 9: The recent directive from the Government to extend working hours at Government Medical and Dental Colleges across J&K has sparked discontent among doctors and nursing staff, seeking a thorough review of the decision.
While the doctors, under the banner of the Medical Faculty Association (MFA) of GMC and GDC Srinagar, stated that the Health & Medical Education (H&ME) should have consulted them before taking the decision, the Nursing Association of GMC Srinagar and Associated Hospitals raised concerns about the physical and mental toll of the move.
In a representation submitted to the Secretary of the H&ME Department, the Nursing Association said that the work culture in AIIMS has similar working hours with the staff receiving a better salary structure and various allowances.
“…in order to provide quality care to patients, Indian Nursing Council (INC) rules may kindly be applied in GMC Srinagar & Associated Hospitals Srinagar, which will help in the professional growth of the nursing cadre.”
The same issue has been raised by the MFA as well, stating that staff at AIIMS and PGI, apart from getting a higher salary, are also paid allowances “which do not exist in GMCs in UT.”
Further, the Nursing Association said that the night shift staff is already available during both day and night hours, noting that they are also available on Gazetted holidays and Sundays as well.
“As 95% of the nursing staff are females, the prolonged shifts not only increase fatigue but also diminish our ability to provide the high-quality care that our patients deserve.”
The Association, representing the nursing staff, which is a backbone of the healthcare set-up, said that the new working hours pose logistical challenges for many of their staff, particularly in light of weather and transport conditions.
On the other hand, the MFA raised several other points, including the GMC and GDC Srinagar running on half the staff as well as the extra work being done without extra wages.
“The healthcare system in UT is one of the best in the country being run mostly by Govt. hospitals which are already running 24×7 with proper rosters. The teaching hours in the GMCs are already 9 am to 5 pm as per NMC guidelines.”
MFA said that the OPD and operation theatre services are also rendered on Gazetted holidays by the associated hospitals without being paid any extra wages for the same.
“The new timing is not feasible especially in the winter season because for OT and OPD to start at 9 am the helping staff need to be present 1 hour before and after and no transport facility is available to transport the staff for the same.”
As OT and OPD cannot be restricted to 1.30 pm on Saturdays which at times can extend up to 6 pm, MFA sought either complete off on Saturdays “or keeping it for academic purposes only as the GMC is also an educational institute in addition to providing patient care.”
The doctors also said that the half-hour lunch break is not feasible in a hospital setting where OT and OPD cannot be closed in between.
“The GMC and GDC are already working with half faculty as no recruitment has taken place for two years and the new timing will put extra strain on the existing faculty.”
It is to be noted that on April 4, the H&ME extended the working hours in GMCs and GDCs across J&K. The new schedule sets reporting time at 9:00 am and relieving time at 5:00 pm on weekdays, with a half-hour lunch break from 1:30 pm to 2:00 pm on all days except Saturday.
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