Suhail Bhat
Srinagar Oct 4: Sher-e-Kashmir Institute of Medical Sciences’ decision to implement a three-tier shift for the nursing staff has raised safety concerns among the female nurses owing to the lack of proper official transport to reach home safely.
The employees accuse the administration of using them as scapegoats to correct some financial irregularities. They demanded that Government should conduct a financial audit to know the actual intentions behind this decision. “When the same work can be accomplished in two shifts, why are they introducing the third one? By doing so, they are not only wasting our time but resources of the hospital,” a nurse said.
The nurses questioned why administration excluded other employees from the shift if it meant to improve patient care. “From technicians to sweepers, everyone has a role to play in patient care. If they are sincere towards it, they should include all the employees in the three-tier strategy. Why only nurses?” another nurse rued.
On 1st October, the hospital implemented the 3-tier system and made additional arrangements for transport facilities for the purpose. Prior to this, nurses were working in two shifts from 10 am to 4 pm and vice versa and taking off for two days in a week. However, the 3-tier system increased their working hours from 30-hours a week to 46- hours and shortened recovery time by one day. In addition, the 3-tier system brought early morning and late-night shifts for the nurses, causing problems of commuting during odd hours.
The nurses said it is the duty of the hospital administration to provide transport facilities from residence to hospital and back, with adequate security. “But the official buses drop us away from our homes, leaving us to fend for ourselves in getting home during night hours,” a nurse from Pulwama said. She added everyday she has to travel almost 80 kilometres to reach Pantha Chowk bypass which is her pickup and drop point.
The issues get exacerbated because of inadequate public transport on roads after dusk. “It is not any other states where the 3-tier system is in place. Robust public transport helps employees to work late-night shifts there. Here, we can’t get a taxi or a bus after sunset. Plus, we also have troubles of law and order here,” another nurse said. She said that she has to walk from Dalgate to Rajbagh alone in the dark with fears of safety lingering over her head.
The nurses said the administration has not carefully selected the routes and the vehicles often run with a lone woman during midnight. “Image the condition of the woman who travels on an isolated road in a bus. Anything can happen as we have witnessed the worst in other places in the country. Are they waiting for the same thing to happen here? God forbid, if anything happens to us, the hospital will be responsible for it,” another nurse said.
The nurses lamented that such shifts have negative effects on their mental health, domestic life and performance. “How can we perform when our lives get disturbed? We could not give much time to our children,” another nurse said, adding that the problems would ultimately affect patient care.
Director SKIMS, A G Ahangar said that decision has been taken to improve the patient care and overall performance of the nurses. “An 8-hour shift would enhance their performance. It would have positive effects on patient care,” he said.
Asked about the official transportation, he said that it is the responsibility of the administration to make proper arrangements for them. “We cannot drop them in their kitchens,” he said, adding that the nurses have signed a contract and they have to comply.
Asked about the safety, he said: “If they feel unsafe they can leave this job. We will employ new nurses willing to work on present conditions.”
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