Recruitment of nursing staff: Principal secy told to submit action-taken report

Patiala: Expressing concern over the non-operational mother and child care hospital at Samana in Patiala district, the Punjab State Human Rights Commission (PSHRC) has directed principal secretary, health and family welfare, to provide an action taken-report (ATR) regarding recruitment of the nursing staff before the next hearing, scheduled for Nov 20.
Earlier, the rights body had taken suo motu cognisance of the situation. The PSHRC had underscored that the 30-bed establishment, despite being furnished with state-of-the-art facilities, had remained shut for two years due to an acute dearth of medical personnel.
Upon taking cognisance of the predicament, the PSHRC instructed the civil surgeon of Patiala to investigate the matter and subsequently directed the director, health services, to follow up on the issue.
Over the last year, the commission has assiduously monitored the situation and issued several directives aimed at reinstating the hospital’s functionality.
In the most recent directive on Tuesday, the PSHRC acknowledged the measures undertaken by the directorate of health services and family welfare, Punjab, to address the staffing deficiency, including the commencement of recruitment process for 400 medical officers, with written examination already conducted at Baba Farid University of Health Sciences, Faridkot, and further procedures to be completed soon.
Similarly, the recruitment process for 523 house surgeons has been concluded, with appointments pending until the election code of conduct is lifted.
Despite multiple entreaties for the hiring of nurses, no response has been received from the principal secretary, health and family welfare, Punjab. Consequently, the commission has instructed the principal secretary to provide ATR regarding the recruitment of the nursing staff before the next hearing.
The commission’s intervention has already led to substantial progress and the provision of crucial healthcare services. However, full functionality remains contingent upon the timely hiring of indispensable staff, including nurses. The PSHRC continues to exhort swift action to ensure that the hospital can cater to the healthcare requirements of the region’s mothers and children, mentioned the rights body.