BS RAWAT

Maharashtra United Nurses Association (UNA) has opposed the move of inviting nurses from other states, including from Kerala, to fill up the huge shortfall the Maharashtra Government is facing right now.

Maharashtra, like most states, is faced with an acute shortage of nurses and last week it requested the Kerala government for 50 experienced doctors and 100 nurses for Mumbai on Covid-19 duty.

A UNA letter sent to Maharashtra Nursing Council and state government said, “We demand cancellation of the decision to import nurses from other states for Covid-19 duty because nurses who are currently based in Maharashtra have not been considered for recruitment,” the nurses association said.

“Over the last two years, the Directorate of Medical Education and Research, Mumbai, has verified the candidature of close to 2,200 nurses. In the last process around six months ago, 399 nurses were hired, and another 129 were selected but have not been called for duty as yet. Another 1,800 have passed the interview and could be considered for employment too,” it stated.

Maharashtra UNA has demanded that 1000 qualified nurses who are waiting for government appointment letter should be given priority in Maharashtra.