IMA hails SC directive to govt on nurses' working conditions

The Indian Medical Association (IMA) on Friday welcomed the Supreme Court's directive, asking the Centre to frame guidelines to regulate the working conditions of nurses in the country and also consider fixing minimum wages for them.

"As per the Indian Nursing Council (INC) norms, the nurse-patient ratio should be 1:3 for general wards in medical colleges and 1:5 for district hospitals, one in each clinic room of the OPD and 1:1 in ICU, ICCU and other critical care areas. It has been shown that a poor nurse-patient ratio leads to poor quality of nursing care for patients and adds to workloads on the nursing staff, which may impact safe and effective patient care. This is a welcome step from the Supreme Court and will only enhance the delivery of health services to patients," said Dr SS Agarwal, national president of IMA.

He said that nurses in private hospitals are paid inadequately and as a result of which many migrate to the UK, the USA or the UAE and other countries for better job prospects and better salary. This has led to a considerable shortage of nursing staff for patients in India, he said.