Gender barriers: Male nurses demand equal rights in city

PESHAWAR:

The association for male nurses have asked the provincial government to stop discrimination based on gender and hire nurses with an equal male to female ratio at government hospitals across the region.

The members were addressing a news conference held at Peshawar Press Club on Monday where they demanded job security and
equal opportunities to be given to them at the hospitals.

“There are 4,500 registered male nurses who are now unemployed,” said Arifullah Yousafzai, the president of Young Nursing Association.

The protesting nurses asked the government to hire men in tehsil headquarters hospitals and basic health units.

Yousafzai said there were still over 217 vacant posts for male nurses that need to be filled immediately.

“Those who are already working should be provided job protection,” Yousafzai added.

Association members said they have a crucial job and should be given equal treatment.

Yousafzai said the ban on hiring male nurses in medical teaching institutions of the province is discriminatory. “This matter should be resolved,” he said.

Published in The Express Tribune, March 1^st, 2016.