Mizoram Trained Nurses to Join Nationwide Protest on Thursday

Trained nurses in Mizoram are to join a nationwide protest in thousands on Thursday under the aegis of Trained Nurses' Association of India to stress on their 11-point charter of demands. The rally in Mizoram will be held between Government High School field and Vanapa Hall, as unveiled by the president of the Mizoram state branch of the Trained Nurses' Association of India, Lalremmawii to the reporters.

The nurses demand that the payment of their salaries and allowances under the state government should be on a par with those working under the Centre and the filling up of vacancies, the appointment of nurses should be in proportion to the patient load. The trained nurses also demanded to stop the recruitment of staff nurses on a contract basis or minimal salary.

It is reported that at present 107 posts for staff nurses, 40 for ward superintendents, 11 for public health nurses, 116 for health workers, 106 for health supervisors and 20 for health community officers are lying vacant under the state government.

The president of the nurses’ association further said that the trained nurses in private hospitals were paid paltry salaries and they drew a minimum daily wage of Rs 250-350 only.

Speaking about the rally to be brought out by the nurses, Lalremmawii let the reporters know that there are over 2,000 members in the state and the rally will be peaceful. However, the nurses will not stay away from duty despite the protest.

Secretary of the Mizoram unit, Lalrinhlui further informed that a writ petition has been submitted in the Supreme Court in 2011 wherein welfare of nurses by enhancing their salary structure and working conditions are being requested. Following this, the apex court issued a notice to the Centre and all the state governments in 2013 and then a committee was constituted under the ministry of health and family welfare in 2016. This committee is entrusted to study the pay structure and working conditions of nurses. Later this committee submitted a report in June 2016 in which the glaring anomalies in the pay structure and pathetic working condition of nurses are being well highlighted.