PIONEER EDGE NEWS SERVICE/Dehradun
The 200-day-long agitation by unemployed nursing graduates in Dehradun has entered a new phase as they, under the banner of Nursing Ekta Manch (NEM), have launched a parallel demonstration at Tikonia Park in Haldwani on Monday. Hundreds of nursing graduates from the Kumaon division joined the demonstration, expressing their frustration over the government’s continued apathy regarding nursing recruitment.
Earlier, the protesters held demonstrations for several days at Ekta Vihar to press their demands. With the government sitting on their demands, they had escalated it by climbing a water tank in Parade Ground. In response, the director general (DG) of Health had forwarded their demands to the Health secretary following which they had postponed their stir for one month. However, as nothing had happened in the month, they resumed the stir and then took it to Haldwani.
The protesters stated that they have been waiting for employment for years upon completing their nursing studies and training. They believed that the government’s ineffective policies and indifference are jeopardizing their futures. “While the State hospitals are experiencing a severe nursing staff shortage, qualified nursing candidates are left out in the cold. This is the irony of the situation,” a protestor said.
They alleged that the government has repeatedly promised action, but real action remains elusive on the ground.
NEM warned to expand their movement across the State if nursing recruitment is not conducted annually as before, if the recruitment process for vacant posts is not initiated and if their other demands are not addressed soon. “It will spread fast to other regions of Kumaon. The same will happen in Garhwal, too,” warned an agitator.
Importantly, NEM demands that the government initiate the nursing recruitment process promptly, and ensure that unemployed nursing candidates are appointed to the vacant posts in the Health department.
