Ludhiana, October 9
The Punjab branch of the
Trained Nurses Association of India (TNAI) organised the 20th Punjab
State TNAI biennial (69th) conference at Christian Medical College and
Hospital here. Dr Vijay Kumar Sharma, Director, Research and Medical
Education, was the chief guest on the occasion, while Prof (Ms)
Pennamma Ranadive, Chairperson Punjab State Nursing Education and
Principal, College of Nursing, CMCH, delivered the welcome note.
Dr
(Ms) Kamaljeet Gill, president, TNAI, Punjab, in her opening speech
said that nurses were one of the most important links in the health
system. They should be given due recognition on the basis of equality
and not regarded as lesser members of the profession.
She presented a
charter of demands, especially of those working in the government
sector, to the chief guest and Director, Research and Medical
Education. It was mentioned that the staff nurses in government
institutes were getting lower grade than the less qualified, including
lab technicians etc. They demanded a monthly nursing allowance of Rs
2,000 for the government nursing staff as per the pattern of the
Central Government as the nursing staff does not get any risk
allowances for infectious diseases or night allowances in case of
night shifts. They also demanded that the post of Deputy Director
Nursing in the DHS office should be immediately filled.
Ms Jasbir
Kaur, secretary, TNAI, Punjab, and Principal College of Nursing, DMCH,
presented the report of various activities of the association during
the past one year. He said the TNAI was planning to build a senior
citizen home for the nursing professionals and also a nursing guest
house in or around Chandigarh. She said the guest house would be used
mainly to provide boarding facilities for the nursing students of the
nursing college at Sector 16, which does not have a hostel
facility.
Ms Sudesh David, chairperson, Nursing Services, TNAI, and
the Nursing Superintendent of the CMCH delivered the vote of
thanks.
Dr J.L.Joshi, Acting Director, CMCH, Dr Basant Pawar, Deputy
Director Human Resources, CMCH, Dr Mohan Verghese, Principal, CMC,
were also present on the occasion. The conference was attended by over
400 representatives of various recognised nursing colleges of Punjab.
