“When the ordinary person gets COVID-19, nurses take care of them. When nurses get COVID-19, there is no one for us”
This was a view shared by one of the nurses from Mumbai. This wasn’t a surprising reality; perhaps exhibits the prevailing negligence towards nurses in India. History is evident for unheard challenges faced by nurses in India
During this pandemic nurses has gained increased attention and most of the people has recognised the nurses’ effort which is obvious to happen during a difficult time. But the challenges continued to remain and the pandemic situation has exposed the indisposed supporting system that nurses face on a day-to-day basis.
Mumbai city became one of the biggest COVID-19 hotspot in the country; leading to an increased demand for health care workers;, especially nurses. In recent time the nurses from private hospitals were refused for paid leaves and salaries during their quarantine period. When the fact is that, exposure to positive case happened during their work which could be counted as “occupational hazard”. Instead of supporting the nurses during such a difficult time, leaving them unsupported without paid leaves and salaries is irrational. This shows the ignorance of administration towards nurses’ well-being.
Nurses infected with COVID-19 ended-up waiting for long hours to get admission in the hospital. Most importantly nurses were not supported by health insurance. This was leading to increased out of pocket expenditure during this crucial period. I agree to the fact that this pandemic caused a situation of uncertainty which none of the hospital or society was prepared to it. But these issues did not pop-up suddenly as I mentioned earlier, this pandemic is exposing the issues that remained persistent for years.
Quarantine centres provided for nurses were so unhygienic and poorly maintained. Furthermore, there was no separate room for male and females which threatened the safety of female nurses. Many nurses were kept in hostels during quarantine with no food and they were asked to report to work before completion of their quarantine period due to shortage of staffs. Again to stress these issues reflect the failure of the administration to understand the needs of their own employees.
It is indeed necessary to ensure the safety and well-being of nurses in order to promote the nursing workforce in the country and make them stay sustained in their work. The loopholes in the support system revealed by COVID-19 pandemic in Mumbai city is an opportunity to improve the support system, strengthen the workforce and promote the overall well-being of nurses.
-The blog was influenced by the petition submitted by representatives of Jan Swasthya Abhiyan – Mumbai, Clinical Nursing Research Society, Trained Nurses Association of India- Maharashtra State Branch, Association of Nursing Teachers Maharashtra, Municipal Nursing and Paramedical Staff Union- Mumbai, and United Nurses Association Maharashtra
Now we should stand together for our rights and raise the voice against poor administration
Back bone of health care system… but always neglected. Never rewarded according to their duties.
No one cares about Nurses while making policies.. as no representative from nursing side includes policy making committees.