Hospital staff protests permission for leave

Nair Hospital nurses and class four employees such as ward boys and clerical staff protested at the hospital on Wednesday against a recent circular by an administrative officer stating that one should take her permission before they do a double duty.

Nair Hospital nurses and class four employees such as ward boys and clerical staff protested at the hospital on Wednesday against a recent circular by an administrative officer stating that one should take her permission before they do a double duty.

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As per the earlier norm, one could do a double shift and take leave on the consecutive day without having to ask anybody. The new norm was issued as the hospital has fallen short of staff and thus cannot allow anybody to take leaves as per their choice.

Suryakant Bodse, a ward boy for more than 35 years said, “Previously we could take leave provided we did 16 hours continuous duty. Now, the administrative officer, Megha Kulkarni, has put up a circular saying that we may have to take her permission to do double duty. More than 450 posts of class four employees are vacant. Instead of filling the vacant posts, the hospital is making stringent laws for us. We want action taken against Megha Kulkarni as she would make us wait for hours for her permission and finally not grant us the permission.”

Dr M Shah, deputy dean of Nair hospital said: “The issued the circular so that we can ensure no ward is understaffed on any day. On Thursday, Dr Sanjay Oak, dean of KEM hospital will meet the class four employees and come to a conclusion. ”