SRINAGAR : Jammu Kashmir Nurses Association (JKNA) has sought cancellation of termination orders of around 250 staff nurses, who were recruited under SRO-24 of 2019 amid COVID-19.
JKNA has written a letter to Financial Commissioner Health & Medical Education Jammu & Kashmir UT, seeking cancellation of termination order of around 250 staff nurses, recruited under SRO-24 of 2019 amid covid-19.
They have also sought reimbursement of one day salary deducted in the month of March and to discontinue the same in future.
“Endowment of risk allowances to nurses of JK UT in similitude to other high risk departments. Venerated sir, with reference to the above mentioned subject staff nurses recruited under sro-24 of 2019 in newly established five Medical Colleges of Jammu and Kashmir UT have been terminated amid COVID-19 without any prior notice, which is illegal and unethical at the time when HCW’s are being hired globally even retired HCW’s to fight this pandemic (Reference Order No. 01 of GMCK of 2020 Dtd. 03/04/2020),” the letter reads, a copy of which lies with Kashmir Indepth News Service.
“The above mentioned staff nurses are skilled and well trained to fight this pandemic rather allowing unskilled students to takeover, further intensifying the spread of COVID-19 and risking the lives of students in particular and community in general,” the letter reads.
In the letter they said the step was discouragement to entire nursing profession when the morale is low enough.
“When the community held the nursing profession in high esteem because the service they provide on forefront the GAD ordered to deduct one day equivalent salary disappointing those risking their lives,” the letter reads.
They said nurses across the Jammu and Kashmir region were expecting remuneration and the administration is urging the nursing professionals to resist government orders which could be “devastating during the time when the community need us the most”.
“Many nurses (about 26 in Mumbai’s wockhardt hospital) across India have been tested positive for COVID-19 even along with their family members. One nurse in Kashmir division has already tested positive for coronavirus disease. In such a grave situation when the entire world face shortage of Personal protection equipments (PPE), it is high time to mention that risk allowances must be announced for all HCW’s across UT of J&K. NAK resolutely believes that your magnanimity and candid Judgment will service the demands on priority,” the letter added.
