Leader of Opposition in the Lok Sabha, Rahul Gandhi, praised nurses from Kerala, calling them the backbone of the healthcare system. He commended their dedication, selflessness, and empathy, which provide families with a sense of security when entrusting their loved ones to their care.
During a video interaction, Gandhi engaged with a group of nurses, discussing the challenges faced by healthcare professionals in India. The nurses highlighted issues like time constraints, staffing shortages, and limited career growth opportunities. One nurse mentioned the lack of time for meaningful patient interaction due to the demanding nature of the job.
Some nurses expressed that while they prefer not to leave India, better working conditions and structured systems in countries like the UK are attractive. They noted that the UK offers longer but continuous shifts and hourly pay systems, providing more stability compared to India’s fragmented schedules. Career progression within India was also a concern, with specialization often requiring higher qualifications, making advancement challenging.
Nurses emphasized the acute shortage of manpower in India’s healthcare system, with a high ratio of nurses to patients. They shared experiences of going beyond their usual roles during the COVID-19 pandemic, even performing surgeries due to the crisis. Improving nursing education was highlighted as crucial for the profession’s growth in India. Participants credited Kerala’s nursing community’s reputation to quality education, hard work, and empathy.
