Kohima, April 22 (MExN): In the light of the recent report of 28 vacancies existing for staff nurse post under the Department, the Unemployed Trained Nurses Association (UTNA) has urged to the health department to “appointment of the trained Nurses as per the norms practiced till date.”
In a representation to the Principal Secretary and Director of the Department of Health & Family Welfare, Nagaland, UTNA said the issue of overage has arisen while considering the appointment of the batch wise merit list of the trained nurses.
The nurses have undergone 3 years General Nursing and Midwifery (GNM) training from the schools of nursing run by the state Government.
“Needless to state the appointment of staff nurse is done through batch wise merit list, which has been customarily followed by your esteemed Department when it comes to the appointment of staff Nurse,” the representation informed.
“The issue of overage shall not come into play when we have faithfully adhering to the Rules and Regulation laid down by the Department and have been waiting patiently for the appointment in accordance with the norms followed by the Department,” it added.
The UTNA’s representation pointed out that the then Director (of H&FW) has gave a clear direction vide No. DHS-4/217/Trg/90-91/3530 dated 1st Sept. 2005 “that the eligible age for appointment is relaxed for the trained Nursing personal and also P&AR vide U.O No. 773 dated 22.09.05 condoned the overage of the trained Nurses for appointment.”
“Thus the Department has been considering age relaxing when it comes to the appointment of trained Staff Nurses in the past,” it added.
UTNA said that its members “have been sincerely waiting for the appointment since the last 16-17 years and while waiting for appointment most of us have crossed 35 years of age.”
“However, this should not be an issue in the case of appointment because we are qualified trained nurses who are eligible to be appointed,” it added.
In this connection, the association requested the secretary and director to “consider the appointment of the trained Nurses as per the norms practiced till date by the Department.”
The representation, appended by UTNA President Akhrole Tsuhah and General Secretary Vikali Wotsa, further stated that it might be “compelled to take legal recourse for dispensation of justice” if existing norm is not followed.
