Coming soon: MSc in forensic nursing in India to train for critical roles in crime investigation .

Coming soon: MSc in forensic nursing in India to train for critical roles in crime investigation .

Read more at: https://www.onmanorama.com/career-and-campus/top-news/2024/11/05/new-course-announced-msc-in-forensic-nursing.html

Coming soon: MSc in forensic nursing in India to train for critical roles in crime investigation

Onmanorama Staff

PUBLISHED: NOVEMBER 05 , 2024 04:22 PM IST 1 MINUTE READ

The Indian Nursing Council (INC) has announced the launch of an MSc course in Forensic Nursing. Alongside this, the INC is also introducing a range of new courses for advanced studies in nursing. The upcoming speciality programmes will prioritise clinical training over theoretical coursework.

MSc in forensic nursing

The MSc programme in Forensic Nursing is open to candidates who have completed a BSc in Nursing with a minimum of 55% marks and possess at least one year of working experience after registering with the state council. Candidates from scheduled categories will receive a 5% marks exemption.

This programme emphasises nursing care for victims of violence and prepares nurses to support not only the victims but also their families during crime investigations. Graduates will have opportunities to work as nurse specialists, consultants, and educators. Beyond traditional hospital roles, this course also presents emerging career paths in medical examination rooms.

New courses

The INC has developed a draft plan for several clinical residency programs aimed at creating specialised nursing practitioners. This includes Nurse Practitioner programmes in Paediatric Nursing (NPPN) and Nephrology Nursing (NPNPN), among others. The feedback on the draft plans can be submitted via email to secy.inc@gov.in. The plans to launch residency programmes for Nurse Practitioners in Family Health and Neonatal Nursing are in the final stages of development

State nursing councils cannot deny registration over out-of-state degrees: Karnataka HC

State nursing councils cannot deny registration over out-of-state degrees: Karnataka HC

The court said that what is even more interesting is that the petitioners are residents of Kerala.

Express News Service

Updated on: 12 Feb 2025, 8:59 am

BENGALURU: The Karnataka High Court has ruled that a state or State Nursing Council (SNC) cannot deny registration to a graduate in BSC Nursing to practice in the state on the ground that the student did not graduate from a college within the state. Also, SNC cannot insist that such students should furnish a certificate of registration or recognition from the Indian Nursing Council (INC) for enrolment or registration to practice in that state.

Justice Suraj Govindaraj passed the order, allowing a petition filed by two nursing graduates, Daniya Joy and Neethu Baby, from Kasaragod in Kerala along with three others, questioning the endorsement issued by the Kerala Nurses and Midwives Council insisting that they submit their INC registration from Karnataka where they completed their BSc, to practice in Kerala.

Both the petitioners studied at a college in Karnataka and intend to practice in Kerala. They submitted their application to KNMC to register themselves, but they were asked to submit the INC registration from where they completed their BSc. They then moved the high court.

The court said that what is even more interesting is that the petitioners are residents of Kerala.

They came to a college in Karnataka for education, obtained their degrees in Karnataka and when they wanted to go back to work in the state in which they were born, the authorities refused to register them as nurses on the ground that the college from which they obtained their degrees is not registered with INC.

This, in considered opinion, is a disservice by KNMC for persons born within its own state, to say the least, the court said.

New nursing colleges unlikely in 2025-26 Lack Of Infra In Existing Institutions Vexes RGUHS

New nursing colleges unlikely in 2025-26 Lack Of Infra In Existing Institutions Vexes RGUHS 

SruthySusan.Ullas@timesofindia.com 22.01.2025

Bengaluru : Rajiv Gandhi University of Health Sciences (RGUHS) is contemplating not inviting applications for starting new nursing colleges for academic year 2025-26. A discussion in this regard was held during a recent syndicate meeting. Over 700 nursing colleges are currently affiliated to the university. “There was a discussion on the condition of existing colleges. When there are so many existing colleges that lack even basic facilities, we should be focusing on improving the quality there. The inspection committees show several lacunae every time they go to colleges. At this rate, why should we permit more name-sake colleges which could further bring down the quality of education?” wondered a member who attended the meeting.

However, vice-chancellor MK Ramesh said no decision was taken in this regard. “There was a preliminary discussion where the pros and cons were discussed. But no decision was taken,” he said. S Shivakumar, president of Karnataka State Association of Managements of Nursing and Allied Health Sciences Institutions, said that the university should look at a moratorium for nursing colleges. “There are enough nursing colleges now. The university should look at improving the quality of the existing colleges,” he said. 

“There are around 30,000-35,000 students graduating every year. BSc nursing is still in demand. There was a drop in admissions last year as they were made through the Common Entrance Test (CET),” Shivakumar said. “At the same time, the university should also look at the terms and conditions for approving an increase in intake for medical courses. Colleges that apply for an increase in intake in medical courses get approvals easily without meeting the criteria. There cannot be two approaches for the approval process for different programmes,” he added.

 “RGUHS can sanction new nursing colleges as long as basic norms like a minimum 200-bed parent hospital in urban areas, 100-bed in rural areas, and other basic infrastructure are available. These hospitals must be owned by the same trust opening new nursing colleges,” said Mithesh Kumar Moodukonaje, founder of the National Pre University Students Parents and Teachers Association. “But at the same time, RGUHS must close down illegal nursing colleges which got approval using forged documents and bribing officials, to save the future of healthcare education. Last year itself, about 75 colleges were initially not approved but some of them were later shown to be complying. There should be strict compliance,” Moodukonaje added. In CET 2024, around 31,812 seats were available through Common Entrance Test for counselling. Of this, 15,068 were filled. 

Vice-chancellor’s term ends on Feb 10

With the term of current vice-chancellor MK Ramesh ending on Feb 10, the search committee formed for the purpose is expected to meet soon. Former vice-chancellor of Rani Chennamma University M Ramachandra Gowda, former VC of Maharaja Chhatrasal Bundelkhand University Prof TR Thapak, and PS Shankar, Emeritus Professor of Medicine, are the nominees of the state govt, chancellor, and syndicate respectively. The principal secretary of the department of medical education is the convenor of the committee.

HC panel to decide fate of 27 nursing colleges today

HC panel to decide fate of 27 nursing colleges today 

TIMES OF  INDIA 8.1.2025

Bhopal/Jabalpur : In a significant decision, a division bench of the MP high court on Tuesday allowed 27 nursing colleges, which were found deficient by the CBI in its second report and excluded from counseling for admission, to appear before the committee constituted by the high court. This was to determine if the deficiencies pointed out by the CBI were removed or could be removed by the college concerned.

 

In response to a petition filed by Pashupati College of Nursing, Mandsaur, and 26 more colleges, the bench of Justice SA Dharmadhikari and Justice Anuradha Shukla stated that the colleges could appear before the committee at Gandhi Medical College, Bhopal, on Jan 8. If the committee finds that they fixed the deficiencies pointed out by the CBI, they may also participate in the counseling for admission by Jan 15, 2025, the court said. The nursing colleges concerned in their petition argued that among the colleges in which the CBI found deficiencies, some colleges were called to appear before the committee appointed by the high court, but they were left out. They were also excluded from the process of counseling for the admission of students. 

The colleges further stated that they were found eligible to run nursing courses in the first report of the CBI, but in the second report submitted on Nov 27, 2024, some deficiencies were pointed out, which they claimed could be fixed. Advocate General Prashant Singh, who appeared in court on behalf of the state govt, opposed the relief sought by the colleges, contending that the process of counseling is nearing its end and would be completed by Jan 15. However, the court said that since similarly placed colleges as the petitioner colleges were summoned to appear before the committee on Jan 7 and 8, the petitioner colleges may also be allowed to appear before the committee on Jan 8. TNN

At Kol’s private hospitals, Bengal nurses now outnumber those from southern states, NE

At Kol’s private hospitals, Bengal nurses now outnumber those from southern states, NE 

Local Pool Grows As State Nursing College Count Rises

Prithvijit.Mitra@timesofindia.com 02.01.2025

Kolkata : In a complete reversal of trend, nurses from Bengal now outnumber those from southern states, the northeast and neighbouring states, who were till recently in the majority at most private hospitals in Kolkata. Hospital officials say the mushrooming of nursing colleges in Bengal, including those set up by state govt and private hospitals, has helped produce more nurses in the past few years and saved them from crisis situations triggered by a shortage due to high attrition rate. 

Bengal currently has 76,000 registered nurses. The two major recognised courses on offer are BSc (nursing) and GNM (general nursing and midwifery). Several thousand nurses now pass out from Bengal every year, up from just a few hundred five years ago, says Woodlands Hospital CEO Rup ak Barua, also president of the Association of Hospitals of Eastern India. “Sixty per cent of our nurses are now from the state, which has never been the case before. Almost all private hospitals in the city were dependent on nurses from the south, northeast and neighbouring states. They still have a sizeable presence but are no longer in the majority. This has also reduced the attrition rate, which was very high till Covid,” said Barua. He added that since Bengal was now producing more nurses than needed in local hospitals, many were taking up jobs in other parts of India and abroad.

At Peerless Hospital, around 420 of the total pool of 480 nurses are now from Bengal. Till 2022, more than 50% were from other states, says Peerless Hospital CEO Sudipta Mitra. “For the past two years, we have not recruited nurses from other states. Due to a sudden proliferation of nursing graduates from state colleges, there is a glut now, and we have had no vacancies for a long time. 

We now have large local pool of nurses, say hosp mgmts 

Peerless Hospital CEO Sudipta Mitra said, “The situation was completely different before 2022, when hundreds of nurses would quit every year for govt hospitals, and we would be left searching for new recruits. A large number of vacancies were invariably filled with nurses from the south and Northeast.” He added that Peerless, too, had its own nursing course, but those passing out were not getting absorbed in the hospital since vacancies were rare. More than 80% of nurses at BP Poddar Hospital are now local. “With the growing num

ber of nursing colleges in Bengal, including our own nursing and paramedical college, we are able to provide students with comprehensive training and guidance. This seamless integration of education and practical learning not only prepares skilled professionals but also meets the growing demands of quality healthcare,” said group adviser Supriyo Chakrabarty. At Ruby General Hospital, the number of nurses from other states has dropped from 40% in 2017 to 25% now. “Around half of those from the so uth and Northeast left during Covid, and less than 40% returned. With the addition of more nursing colleges, we now have a large local pool. We used to run a language course for outstation nurses before the pandemic, but it is no longer necessary,” said general manager, operations, Subhashis Datta. Charnock Hospital has 50% nurses from other states. “Whenever opportunities arise, those from the south tend to leave. When govt jobs are available in Bengal, nurses from our state take them up. But the attrition rate has dropped with a rise in the number of fresh graduates,” said MD Prashant Sharma.

Registration of 156 nursing homes cancelled over irregularities: Govt

Registration of 156 nursing homes cancelled over irregularities: Govt 

Pvt Hospitals Are Being Monitored Amid Overcharging Allegation, Govt Tells House

TIMES NEWS NETWORK 19.12.2024

Bhopal : Private hospitals in the state are overcharging patients, the govt accepted in the state assembly on Wednesday. On average, one complaint per day is received by the govt against private hospitals in this regard. BJP MLA Abhilash Pandey asked about the complaints received in the last year regarding overcharging and other irregularities by private hospitals. He inquired about the actions taken on those complaints and questioned whether the govt is not keeping a strict vigil on private hospitals to control the charges levied by them. 

Deputy CM and public health, medical education minister Rajendra Shukla said in a reply that 311 complaints were received in the last year regarding overcharging and other irregularities by private hospitals. Private hospitals are being continuously monitored, he said. A total of 654 show cause notices have been issued to nursing homes since April so far. The number of nursing homes inspected was 2,354. Registration of 156 nursing homes has been cancelled. Apart from this, under the Ayushman Bharat 'Nirayam' scheme, private hospitals are being strictly monitored. The CMHOs were directed to create awareness about the rights of the patients and against excessive fee collection. Messages have been disseminated through appropriate social media platforms for public awareness. The Ayushman Bharat office has ordered the display of IEC and citizen charters to the private hospitals affiliated under the scheme. A toll-free number, call centre, and Ayushman Bharat portal are available for patients’ awareness.

11 nursing colleges await nod from finance department

11 nursing colleges await nod from finance department

 

TIMES NEWS NETWORK  17.11.2024

Chennai : In April 2023, the state announced it had permission from the Center to establish 11 new nursing colleges in existing govt medical college campuses, with an intake of 100 students each. But the files related to these colleges are still awaiting approval from the finance department. The central government agreed to cover 60% of the costs. "Once established, these colleges will increase the number of govt nursing colleges in the state to 17," health minister Ma Subramanian said. 

The directorate of medical education submitted a proposal to the state finance department a few weeks later. “They wanted to know if the Center will fund recurring expenses such as salaries every year. Officials in the ministry told us the scheme allows funding only for the establishment of the college. So it is a one-time funding that can be used for construction of buildings,” said a senior health department official. The finance department also sought justification for new colleges. 

According to TN nursing council, the state, which has more than 1.8 lakh nurses, will in 2025 achieve the WHO recommendation of a minimum of three nurses per 1,000 population to ensure adequate healthcare coverage. "This ratio is crucial for providing quality healthcare services and addressing the global shortage of healthcare professionals," said TN Nurses and Midwives Council registrar S Ani Grace Kalaimathi. "While India has 1.8 per 1,000 population, TN will have close to 3 per 1,000," she said.

 Director of Medical Education Dr J Sangumani did not respond to calls, but officials in DME said they were unable to justify the need for more nursing colleges to the finance department. “The govt has 26 schools of nursing offering three year diploma courses in addition to the six colleges of nursing. In addition, more than 250 private colleges are offering more than 16,000 BSc nursing seats every year” the official said. Healthcare experts, however, say there are not enough nurses. in the state.

HC orders removal of MP Nursing Registration Council chief & secy over college affiliations

HC orders removal of MP Nursing Registration Council chief & secy over college affiliations 

TIMES NEWS NETWORK  14.12.2024  BHOPAL

Bhopal : A division bench of MP high court on Friday ordered the removal of chairman of MP Nursing Registration Council (MPNRC), Jiten Chandra Shukla and secretary, Anita Chand stating that they were themselves involved in the nursing college affiliations in one way or the other and their appointment on the key positions in MPNRC was unacceptable. 

Taking exception to the reply of the state govt that director, medical education has constituted a three-member committee to examine the complaints against Chand despite the court's oral order to remove her and Shukla from the post, the bench of Justice Sanjay Dwivedi and Justice A K Paliwal, seized of a petition over a large number of fake nursing colleges operating in MP, asked the principal secretary, medical education, to remove the two officials in question forthwith and also directed the office of advocate general to forward a copy of the order to the chief secretary for compliance. 

Petitioner in the case, president of Law Students' Association, Vishal Baghel, has moved two applications seeking removal of Chand and Shukla levelling specific charges against them about their involvement in the scam relating to recognition to fake nursing colleges in the state in large numbers and prayed the court to order their removal from the key positions in MPNRC as they can influence the evidence regarding the scam. Anita Chand was a member of the inspection committee which had submitted a false report on March 4, 2022 on the basis of which RKS Nursing college in Bhopal was given recognition though it was later cancelled, he said. Similarly, the application for removal of Jiten Chandra Shukla said that he was the director of MPNRC when several irregularities were committed in granting recognition to the nursing colleges. 

After hearing these applications, the court directed the respondents to submit their reply  explaining as to why such persons have been placed on important posts of registrar and chairman, MPNRC and orally instructed for their removal. The court, however, noted that instead of doing so, the respondents showed a copy of order dated Dec 2, 2024 issued by the directorate medical education, wherein, a committee consisting of three members had been constituted to inspect and submit a report after analysing the complaints made against Anita Chand and inspecting the nursing colleges. The judges while stating that they were not satisfied with the constitution of the committee by the director with the approval of commissioner, public health & medical education and said, "We cannot allow such officers who were involved in the earlier process of granting recognition to hold such important posts in as much as there is every likelihood that such officers would, not only try to save their skin but also of other functionaries, try to tamper with the material. “We despise such effort and find that it is nothing but an attempt to foil the endeavours made by the court for obviating the irregularities and illegalities in the process of granting recognition.

In view of the above, we direct the principal secretary of the public health and medical education to forthwith remove Anita Chand from the post of registrar and Dr Jiten Chandra Shukla from the post of chairman of MPNRC and instead appoint some responsible officers, having unblemished service career, in their place," said the order.

No new nursing college in state during 2024-25 session: Govt to HC

No new nursing college in state during 2024-25 session: Govt to HC 

TIMES NEWS NETWORK 08.12.2024 BHOPAL 

Bhopal/Jabalpur : The state govt informed a division bench of the MP High Court, which is hearing a petition seeking action against "fake" nursing colleges operating in large numbers in the state, that no new nursing colleges were allowed to open in the academic session 2024-25. Only the old colleges found eligible by the CBI were given recognition to operate. Meanwhile, the bench of Justice Sanjay Dwivedi and Justice AK Paliwal asked the state govt to present a report on the action taken against the registrar of the MP Nursing Council, Anita Chand, for irregularities committed by her before deferring the case for hearing to Dec 12. 

During the previous hearing of the case, the court ordered that all the eligible nursing and paramedical colleges in the state for the academic session 2024-25 would be affiliated with MP Medical University. The court also directed that the list and shortcomings found in the nursing colleges declared 'unfit' to operate by the CBI should be mentioned on the website of the MP Nursing Council. 

President of the Law Students' Union, Vishal Baghel, filed a PIL raising the issue of a large number of 'fake' nursing colleges operating in the state, particularly in the tribal areas, which do not have the requisite infrastructure or manpower to run the nursing courses. During the hearing of the petition, the high court ordered a probe by the CBI into the credentials of all the nursing colleges in the state and whether they have the requisite facilities to operate nursing courses. The CBI gave a clean chit to 169 nursing colleges, pointed out deficiencies in 74 but said they could be rectified, and found 65 nursing colleges unfit to operate. Later, the court constituted a threemember committee headed by a retired HC judge, Justice Rajendra Kumar Shrivastava, to examine whether the 74 nursing colleges, which the CBI found to have deficiencies 

In the meantime, some CBI officials involved in the probe were arrested by the CBI Delhi team on charges of demanding a bribe from proprietors of the nursing colleges to give their colleges a fitness certificate, thereby putting the probe and its outcome in question. .

HC asks govt to declare nursing students’ results for ‘19-20 & ‘20-21

HC asks govt to declare nursing students’ results for ‘19-20 & ‘20-21 

TIMES NEWS NETWORK  22.11.2024

Bhopal/Jabalpur : A division bench of the MP High Court, seized a PIL over 'fake' nursing colleges operating in the state, on Thursday directed the state govt to declare the results of students for the academic sessions 2019-20 & 2020-21. It further ordered that all the eligible nursing and paramedical colleges in the state for the session 2024-25 will be affiliated with MP Medical University. The court also directed that the list and shortcomings found in the colleges declared 'unfit' to operate should be enumerated on MP Nursing Council’s website. 

President of the Law Students' Union, Vishal Baghel, filed a PIL raising the issue of alarge number of 'fake' nursing colleges operating in the state, particularly in the tribal areas, which don't have the requisite infrastructure or manpower to run the nursing courses. In the course of the hearing, the HC ordered a probe by CBI into the credentials of all the nursing colleges in the state and whether they have the requisite facilities to operate nursing courses. The CBI gave a clean chit to 169 nursing colleges, pointed out deficiencies in 74 but said that they can be rectified, & found 65 colleges unfit to operate.

Later, the court constituted a three-member committee headed by Justice Rajendra Kumar Shrivastava, to examine whether the 74 colleges with deficiencies that could be cured, actually do it within the given time frame and decide on adjusting students of these colleges to other colleges in the meantime. The 65 nursing colleges found unsuitable for operation will be shut, & their students will not be adjusted to any other college, said court

HC orders govt to issue recognition to nursing colleges

HC orders govt to issue recognition to nursing colleges 

16.11.2024 TIMES OF INDIA BHOPAL.

Bhopal/Jabalpur : A division bench of MP high court asked the state govt to continue giving recognition to nursing colleges according to rules prevalent. A bunch of nursing colleges had presented an application, before the bench hearing a PIL relating to hundreds of 'fake' nursing colleges operating in the state, stating that they have been in operation before the year 2013 and they used to get recognition on the basis of affiliation to a government hospital but the MP Nursing Council has refused to give them recognition this year on the ground that only colleges with 100-bed hospitals of their own would get recognition. 

In its reply, the state govt said that according to rules of nursing education, 2018, only colleges with a 100-bed hospital of their own were eligible to get recognition of their courses. The bench of Justice Sanjay Dwivedi and Justice A K Paliwal, however, asked the state govt to continue giving recognition to such colleges this year based on their affiliation to a govt medical college. The court further asked the state govt not to make any changes in the rules relating to recognition to nursing colleges till the pendency of the PIL they are dealing with. On an application moved by Vishal Baghel accusing the Nursing Council registrar of irregularities, the court asked the govt to hold an inquiry into charges against it. Baghel accused the registrar Anita Chand of recommending colleges 'unsuitable' to run nursing colleges for recognition.

185 colleges await Gujarat Nursing Council nod

185 colleges await Gujarat Nursing Council nod 

NO FIRE NOC, BU PERMISSION 

TIMES NEWS NETWORK  07.11.2024 

Ahmedabad : Around 185 nursing colleges are still awaiting their annual permissions from the Gujarat Nursing Council (GNC), even as the admission process for paramedical courses, including nursing, nears completion. These institutions face delays due to a lack of fire department’s no objection certificates (NOCs), building use (BU) permissions, and staff crunch. 

The admission committee placed 1,500 students across various programmes after two admissions rounds, including BSc nursing, physiotherapy, GNM, ANM, optometry, occupational therapy, orthotics and prosthetics, and naturopathy. A third round is on to fill 2,000 remaining seats. The colleges’ approval delays primarily stem from non-compliance with BU regulations and fire safety standards. These institutions were consequently excluded from the admission process.

 The situation is unprecedented, with these 185 unapp roved nursing, BSc, GNM, and ANM colleges representing approximately 6,000 seats out of the total 37,000 seats available across nearly 900 nursing and paramedical colleges in the state. Court mandates regarding fire NOCs and BU nod implemented to ensure safety against fire incidents, resulted in the council’s delayed approval process. Dr M. M. Prabhakar, president of Gujarat Nursing Council, said, “Several colleges failed to furnish fire department NOCs and BU permissions, so their approvals were held back. We announced a third deadline for the submission of these approvals, latest by Nov 30. If these colleges fail to adhere to the deadline, we will not issue approvals to them for the current academic year.” 

A considerable number of unapproved institutions include multiple colleges operating from single buildings without proper authorization. About 50 newly established colleges are also among those seeking approval

Women staffers on contract can’t be denied maternity benefits: HC

Women staffers on contract can’t be denied maternity benefits: HC

Sureshkumar.k@timesofindia.com  23.10.2024 

Chennai : Contractual conditions cannot deny or offer less favourable maternity benefits to woman employees, Madras high court has ruled, pointing out that the Maternity Benefit Act would prevail over such conditions. The first bench of Chief Justice K R Shriram and Justice Senthilkumar Ramamoorthy passed the order on Tuesday on a plea moved by the MRB Nurses Empowerment Association, seeking direction to the Tamil Nadu govt to extend maternity benefits, including 270 days of paid maternity leave to all staff nurses working under the National Rural Health Mission Scheme (NRHM) in the state. 

The benefits of the Maternity Benefits Act will be available to all woman employees who have completed 80 days of work in the establishment from which they claim the maternity benefit. Opposing the plea, advocate general P S Raman contended that the nurses are not eligible for any kind of leave applicable to regular govt servants, except for casual leave of one day per month and a day off. “In any other untoward exceptional circumstances, any individual is permitted to avail of leave other than the leave specified above, which will be treated as leave on loss of pay,” he said. › 

 ‘Maternity benefits not coterminous with employment tenure’ 

However, the bench relied on Supreme Court’s Dr Kavita Yadav case which held that once a lady employee fulfils the entitlement criteria specified in the Act, she would be eligible for full maternity benefits, even if such benefits exceed the duration of her contract. The court also held that maternity benefits are not coterminous with employment tenure, the bench added. In the Deepika Singh case, Supreme Court held that the Act was enacted to secure women’s right to pregnancy and maternity leave and to afford women as much flexibility as possible to live an autonomous life, both as amother and as a worker, if they so desire, the bench said. Therefore, the reliance by the state govt on conditions of the ap pointment and posting order to deny maternity benefits is untenable, the judges stated. The court then directed the state to consider and dispose of all pending and fresh applications for maternity benefits from NRHM nurses employed on a contractual basis within three months or three months from date of receipt of fresh applications, as the case may be, after making adjustments, if any, towards payments made earlier.

‘Contractual employees also entitled to paid maternity leave’

‘Contractual employees also entitled to paid maternity leave’

Mohamed Imranullah S.

CHENNAI  23.10.2024 

In a significant verdict, the Madras High Court has ruled that contract employees, too, are entitled to maternity benefits, and that the provisions of the Maternity Act of 1961 would prevail over contractual conditions if the latter deny or offer less favourable benefits.

The First Division Bench of Chief Justice K.R. Shriram and Justice Senthilkumar Ramamoorthy held so while allowing a writ petition, pending in the High Court since 2018, against the denial of 270 days of paid maternity leave to nurses appointed under the National Rural Health Mission (NRHM).

The MRB (Medical Services Recruitment Board) Nurses Empowerment Association had filed the writ petition highlighting the denial of maternity benefits to nurses appointed under the NHRM, a scheme floated and funded by the Centre for enhanced healthcare in rural areas.

The petitioner’s counsel, M. Padmavathy, told the court that over 11,000 nurses had been appointed in Tamil Nadu under the NRHM on a consolidated monthly pay of ₹7,000, which was subsequently revised to ₹11,000 on the basis of court orders.

Though the Maternity Act contemplates grant of 270 days of paid maternity leave to employees who have put in more than two years of service, the State government had been denying such a benefit to NRHM nurses on the ground that they were contractual employees, she complained.

After recording her submissions, the Chief Justice said the Supreme Court had, in Dr. Kavita Yadav versus Secretary, Ministry of Health and Family Welfare (2024), held that an employee who fulfils the entitlement criteria would be eligible for maternity benefits even if they exceed the duration of her contract.

In that case, the top court had taken into account that the 1961 Act was enacted to secure women’s right to pregnancy and maternity leave, and to afford them as much flexibility as possible to live an autonomous life, both as a mother and as a worker, if they so desire.

“Therefore, by virtue of Section 27, the provisions of the 1961 Act will prevail over contractual conditions denying or offering less favourable maternity benefits. Consequently, the reliance by the respondents on condition 6 of the appointment and posting order to deny maternity benefits is untenable,” the Chief Justice wrote.

Plea opposes delinking nursing from med univ

Plea opposes delinking nursing from med univ 

NURSING SCAM 

TIMES NEWS NETWORK 25.09.2024v 

Bhopal/Jabalpur : Vishal Baghel, the petitioner in the public interest litigation (PIL) filed in the MP high court over fake nursing colleges operating in large numbers in MP, on Tuesday presented an application before the division bench, opposing the move of the state govt to disaffiliate nursing and paramedical courses from the MP Medical University. 

The state govt sought time from the court to respond to the application. The Indian Nursing Council (INC) also requested time to present an affidavit in support of its reply submitted in the court earlier. The court, granting time to the state govt and the INC, deferred the hearing of the case for four weeks. 

President of the Law Students' Union, Vishal Baghel, in his petition, had raised the issue of a large number of fake nursing colleges operating in the state, particularly in the tribal areas, which don't have the requisite infrastructure or manpower to run the nursing courses. In its probe, the CBI had given a clean chit to 169 nursing colleges, pointed out deficiencies in 74 but said that they can be rectified, and found 65 nursing colleges as unfit to operate. 

Later, the court constituted a three-member committee headed by a retired HC judge , to examine the 74 nursing colleges. The 65 nursing colleges found unsuitable for operation will be shut, and their students will not be adjusted in any other college, the court had said. 

In the meanwhile, CBI officials involved in the probe were arrested by the CBI Delhi team on charges of demanding a bribe from proprietors of nursing colleges to give their colleges a fitness certificate, thereby putting the probe in question. Following this, HC ordered a fresh probe into the 169 colleges given a clean chit by the CBI. The court had further asked the CBI to inspect the colleges in the presence of a judicial magistrate.

Nursing colleges get notice over excess fee collection

Nursing colleges get notice over excess fee collection 

TIMES NEWS NETWORK 5.9.24

Bengaluru : Flooded by complaints over additional fees being collected from students seeking admission to nursing colleges, the admission overseeing committee has issued a notice to such institutions asking them to adhere to rules. As per Justice B Manohar, who heads the committee, there have been at least six written complaints and numerous phone calls regarding the same. Currently, the fee structure is Rs 10,000 for students admitted under the govt quota, Rs 1 lakh under management quota, and Rs 1.40 lakh for nonKarnataka students. “Some colleges have been demanding up to Rs 1 lakh for govt quota seats. They charge the excess fee under additional heads like uniform and transport. 

When I interacted with the principals and said that the students do not need transport, they came up with excuses like the students will have to be taken to the hospital. These explanations cannot be accepted. Colleges will have to adhere to the rules,” said Justice Manohar. 

“Demanding and collection of any amount over and above the fee prescribed by govt is contrary to law and ex ploitation of the students. As you are all aware that under the consensual agreement between the state govt and the association of private nursing colleges, the fee payable by the students, both under govt quota seats and private quota seats, are fixed by the state govt,” said the notice. Any demand for amount over and above the fee prescribed by the govt is not only contrary to the provisions of the Karnataka Educational Institutions (Prohibition of Capitation Fee) Act, 1984, but also the Karnataka Educational Institutions (Regulation of Admission and Determination of Fee) Act, 2006, the notice dated Sept 4,2024 said, adding that action will be taken in accordance with the law. 

“The govt should address the practice of private nursing colleges requiring local students to stay in hostels and forcibly, collecting hostel fees . This includes cases where students are threatened, saying their admit cards will be withheld. Action should be taken against such  coercive practices,” said Mithesh Kumar Moodukonaje of National PreUniversity Students, Parents and Teachers’Association. He requested KEA to publish full list of students, who are allotted seats, to ensure transparency in admissions

ICU sexual assault case: survivor joins protest staged by nursing officer

ICU sexual assault case: survivor joins protest staged by nursing officer

Nursing Officer P.B. Anitha, a key witness in the assault case, has been protesting in front of the administrative block of the Government Medical College, Kozhikode, since April 1, demanding her reinstatement there. She has procured an order from the High Court against her transfer to Idukki. The Kerala govt. will move a review petition in the HC

April 05, 2024 09:00 pm | Updated April 06, 2024 07:48 am IST - Kozhikode

AABHA RAVEENDRAN

The survivor in the ICU sexual assault case, on Friday, joined the cause of Senior Nursing Officer P.B. Anitha, who has been protesting in front of the administrative block of the Government Medical College, Kozhikode, since April 1, demanding her reinstatement there.

Ms. Anitha, a key witness in the ICU sexual assault case, had procured an order from the High Court against her transfer to Idukki, demanding that the Director of Medical Education give her back her former position. However, the Administrative Officer of the Medical College did not heed the order following which Ms. Anitha launched a protest, which has since then garnered support from various human rights and political organisations.

Three transferred

The incident occurred on March 18, 2023. A woman was allegedly sexually assaulted by an attender in the intensive care unit of the hospital while she was still under sedation following a thyroid surgery. Ms. Anitha, along with the Chief Nursing Officer and Nursing Superintendent, gave statements in her favour to the police as well as the investigation panel set up by the Directorate of Medical Education. The three nursing officers were transferred to Idukki on November 28 following which the trio appealed before the administrative tribunal. While the tribunal offered an injunction order on the transfer of two of them, it did not support Ms. Anitha. Hence she moved the High Court.

“The government is yet to cite a reason for punishing me. I was just doing my duty by offering my protection to the survivor. I would have done the same had it been anyone,” Ms. Anitha said.

Survivor’s stance

“Ms. Anitha only did what the Hospital Superintendent or the Head of the Department should have done. She is being punished for supporting me,” said the survivor, while questioning the ‘double standards’ of the administrative tribunal in granting injunction order on the transfer of two of the three nursing officers.

Meanwhile, the State government has decided to file a review petition at the Kerala High Court against the order in favour of Ms. Anitha. Health Minister Veena George has maintained that Ms. Anitha was punished for her supervisory lapse, as the untoward incident took place while under her watch. “We were only trying to ensure justice to the survivor and did not care who was on the other side,” she told reporters on Friday.

The District Congress Committee has offered support to Ms. Anitha and decided to take over the protest if it continues for long. “Five workers of the Mahila Congress will be part of the protest,” DCC president K. Praveen Kumar said.

Retired government hospital nurse arrested for performing abortion illegally in TN

Retired government hospital nurse arrested for performing abortion illegally in TN

Speaking to TNIE, Selvaraj said that Gayathri, who is already a mother of two girls, got pregnant again as she longed for a male child.

The accused has been identified as R Gandhimathi (58), a resident of Sikkendar Chavadi area. Express
Express News Service

Updated on:08 Mar 2024, 8:23 am

MADURAI : A retired government hospital nurse was arrested by the Alanganallur police on Thursday for allegedly performing abortion illegally on a woman, causing her to lose her uterus recently. The accused has been identified as R Gandhimathi (58), a resident of Sikkendar Chavadi area. According to sources, she had worked as a nurse in various primary health centres in the district from 1990-2020, and opted for a voluntary retirement on July 30, 2020. Following this, she allegedly began performing illegal abortions.

According to sources, Gayathri from Keelarangiyam in Sivaganga district approached Gandhimathi for aborting her female foetus on February 10, 2023, as referred by a scan centre attached to a private hospital in Sholavandhan. After the abortion, Gayathri developed severe stomach pain and was admitted to Government Rajaji Hospital (GRH) in Madurai, where she underwent hysterectomy (removal of uterus), as the womb was infected due to the abortion. Later, as informed by the doctors, a team led by Deputy Director Health Dr J Kumaraguru conducted an enquiry and sent a report to Dr Selvaraj, Joint Director of Health.

Speaking to TNIE, Selvaraj said that Gayathri, who is already a mother of two girls, got pregnant again as she longed for a male child. Someone told her that the scan centre in Sholavandhan conducted sex-determination tests, and in case of female foetus, they referred the women to a nurse for abortion. As per the advice, Gayathri and her family members conducted the foeticide. The incident came to light when she was admitted to GRH for hysterectomy, he said.

He further stated that during the enquiry Gandhimathi confessed the truth, and they had lodged a complaint with Alanganallur police station. A case has been registered against Gandhimathi and the police are on the look out for the doctors and employees of the private hospital in Sholavandhan, sources added.

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