Nurses' efforts pay off: Punjab govt announces three year contracts

The protest entered into its sixth day on Saturday, when the Punjab government made this announcement.


Web Desk March 15, 2014
Nurses hold the protest at Mall Road on Saturday. PHOTO: ONLINE

LAHORE: Nurses protesting against the Health Department for firing those who had been working on ad-hoc basis, were granted three year contracts by the Punjab government on Saturday, Express News reported. 

In what could be termed a victory, the nurses will be required to pass the public service commission exams at the end of the three year contract to become eligible for a permanent post.

In the event that the nurses under this contract fail to pass PCS exam, their contract will stand dissolved at the end of the three years.

The announcement came as their violence marred protest in Lahore entered its sixth day on Saturday.

On Friday, a group of nurses staged a sit-in in front of the office of the nursing director general. They later rallied to The Mall to sit-in in front of the Punjab Assembly, where a session was in progress. On seeing them advance towards The Mall, where protests are banned under Section 144, women police were called to stop them. Some nurses scuffled with the policewomen when they were stopped near Charring Cross.

Police baton charged the nurses to disperse them. The baton charge continued for over 10 minutes.

Two nurses were injured. One of them was later identified as Amina Bibi reported to be seven-month pregnant. They were taken to Sir Ganga Ram Hospital, where Amina Bibi was said to be in critical condition.

Chief Minister Shahbaz Sharif has ordered a judicial inquiry into the violence. Advisor to the Chief Minister on Health Khawja Salman Rafique told a press conference that the incident had shocked him. He said those responsible for ordering the baton charge would be held accountable.

COMMENTS (6)

Jalbani Baloch | 10 years ago | Reply

First of all, no adhoc appointments be made by the Government, and if it is made, the Govt. should regularize their services after a specified time period. The advantage is that the adhocees by that time, become experienced hand and can better perform their jobs, as compared to new inductees. But, if the Govt. is not prepared to regularize the services of adhocees, then, it should frame a law, whereby no adhoc appointments could be made either by the present government or the incumbent government.

Given the above, I suggest that the Government should re-amend the notification by subject regularization of services of all adhoc nurses based on their satisfactory performance AND not making them to go through the Public Service Commission, which can be suitable forum for new appointments. If the situation is not rectified, the time will prove that again all these adhoc nurses will be on roads demanding for regularization of their services. I hope the Government of Punjab will take note of my suggestion.

Pacer | 10 years ago | Reply @ Cheema. Do you really think these nurses were redundant? Have you ever visited a public health facility? If the govt can hold lavish festivals and distribute laptops they should be able to maintain hospitals with necessary staff. Making austerity cuts at the expanse of health care is not a good option and opposition has every right to protest
VIEW MORE COMMENTS
Replying to X

Comments are moderated and generally will be posted if they are on-topic and not abusive.

For more information, please see our Comments FAQ