IMA, nurses discuss challenges: Lack of respect, low pay

On the occasion of International Nurses Day, the Indian Medical Association (IMA) today discussed with nearly 200 nurses various challenges they face including job insecurity, low pay, migration to western countries, lack of infrastructure and training facilities, and lack of respect.
At an event organised to mark International Nurses Day, which was observed yesterday, SS Agarwal, National President IMA said the profession is faced with several challenges including lack of adequate training, low pay, as well as a lack of respect.
Secretary General IMA Dr KK Aggarwal termed nurses as the "backbone" of the Indian healthcare system.
"At present India faces an acute shortage of nurses given the existing job insecurity for contractual staff, low pay in both the government and private sectors, lack of conducive work environment, high rate of migration to western countries and lack of infrastructure," he said.

The event was organised in collaboration with the IMA College of General Practitioner (IMACGP), Trained Nurses Association of India (TNAI), and DMA Nursing Home Forum.
Surekha Sama, Vice President North Region, TNAI said, "Issues like child sexual abuse are often kept under wraps and the time has come to bring them out in the open.