Shillong, Oct 23: The Congress wanted the North Eastern Indira Gandhi Regional Institute of Health & Medical Sciences (NEIGRIHMS) to adopt the 80:20 female to male nurse recruitment ratio.
The formula is followed by AIIMS, PGI and JIPMER.
The Congress added that it is a matter of patient dignity and not discrimination.
Addressing a press conference, Meghalaya Pradesh Youth Congress (MPYC) member Joel Desmond Nongrum said NEIGRIHMS is the last hope for thousands of patients from Meghalaya and neighbouring states
The expansion of NEIGRIHMS has put severe strain on nursing staff.
“Staff appointed in 2005 will retire in the next 5 to 10 years. Replacement is now top priority,” Nongrum said.
According to the Congress member, demanding 80% female nurses is not about gender bias. “Maternity, labour rooms, paediatrics, female postnatal wards need female nurses for dignity and clinical need,” he said.
Nongrum wanted to know why NEIGRIHMS is not following recruitment norms of premier hospitals like AIIMS Patna, PGI Chandigarh, JIPMER and ESIC when it is aspiring for premier status.
“Latest recruitment was 90% male and 10% female. Every other central institute recruits 80% female. Why is it different here?” he asked, adding that the issue has been raised with MP Saleng Sangma and will be taken up with Union Health Minister J P Nadda on October 27.
Mylliem Block Congress President Banphira Basawiamoit said local representation has crashed after Nursing Officer Recruitment Common Eligibility Test( NORCET.)
“Before NORCET in 2019, out of 231 nurses from Rajasthan, 111 were from Meghalaya. In 2023, out of 223 recruited, 134 are from Rajasthan and only 15 from Meghalaya,” he said.
When asked he said it may be lack of coaching centres in the state.
She said patients and even staff have raised concerns about the dominance of male nurses in sensitive wards.
On the NEIGRIHMS Director’s Instagram statement that the institute cannot follow 80:20 as it is not an Institute of National Importance, Basawiamoit said, “This is misleading. Article 15(3) empowers the government to make special provisions for women and children.”
He cited past incidents, including alleged molestation of a minor and FIRs over negligence by male nurses.
“This is not a political statement. Safety and security of women and children patients is of prime importance. We are speaking on behalf of society, patients and staff,” he sai
The Congress member clarified that they have nothing against male nurses but patient comfort must be prioritised.
ANEIGRIHMS has around 549 nurses with the current ratio at about 60:40 male to female.
