Rajeev Choudhury

The Union Health Ministry has asked the healthcare institutions in the country to regulate the working hours of the nurses to 40 hours a week along with providing for separate washrooms and changing rooms, personal protective equipment, annual health check-ups, necessary immunisation and utilisation of hospital services in the draft guidelines on working conditions of nurses in the country.

In line with the World Health Organisation’s call for the personal, employment and professional rights of the health workforce, including safe and decent working environments and freedom from all kinds of discrimination, coercion and violence, the Ministry said that it is issuing the draft guidelines for improving working conditions of nurses in various healthcare establishments in the country.

The guidelines asked the healthcare institutions to designate proper resting rooms and crèche facilities and provide accommodation to their nursing staff within or near the hospital premises, along with taking up suitable measures to promote a healthy and safe work environment to prevent mental and physical violence against nurses and ensure the security of the nurses.

The draft guidelines further asked the institutions to promote flexible working hours and prepare duty rosters well in advance to enable the nurses to seek prior approval for requesting a change in duty timings or applying for leave and provide for compensatory day-offs for nurses working overtime during exigencies.

"All healthcare establishments to take initiatives to recognise outstanding nurses and take measures to upkeep the morale and motivation of nursing staff," the guidelines read.

It also asked the healthcare institutions to provide equal opportunities for nurses to pursue a higher nursing education and research.
The Ministry has invited comments from people and stakeholders within thirty days.