ISLAMABAD: Nursing staff of Pakistan Institute of Medical Sciences (Pims) went on strike after relatives of a deceased woman beat up one of their colleagues and doctors on Thursday morning.

The nursing staff, however, resumed the work after hospital’s management agreed to register a case against the person who abused the staff.

Moreover, the management also assured the nurses that security at wards would be enhanced.

Nurses go on strike to protest maltreatment

An official of Pims requesting not to be identified said that on Thursday morning an 85-year-old woman died of liver disease in Medical Ward III.

He said the deceased woman’s son alleged his mother died because of hospital staff’s negligence as they did not give her proper attention and treatment.

When the nurse came, he lost his temper with her and started beating her and abusing her, the official, quoting eye-witnesses, said.

He said that on-duty doctors and a security guard came to her rescue but they were kicked and punched by the attendants, who were 10 in number.

“After the incident the nursing staff refused to work. They said they were not provided proper security in wards. They also accused telephone operator of the hospital of being slow in connecting them to the administration,” he said.

When the management of the hospital received information of protest they arranged a meeting with the staff, he said.

The official the meeting was attended by nurses, paramedics and joint action committee.

Pims Vice Chancellor Prof Javed Akram, Administrator Dr Altaf Hussain and Chairman Hospital Management Prof Khaleequz Zaman were also present in the meeting.

The management accepted all the demands of the nurses including registration of case against the main culprit, the son of the deceased woman.

They assured the nursing staff that security in wards would be strengthened. The meeting decided to send an application to Margalla Police Station for registration of case the son of the deceased woman, the official said.

The nursing staff demanded that their strength should be enhanced as only two nurses cater to 50 patients in a ward.
This demand was readily accepted by the management.

Nurses also demanded that only one attendant should be allowed with a patient and visiting hours should strictly be observed, he said.

The official said on Wednesday night five persons died of hepatitis C.

Pims Vice Chancellor Prof Javed Akram while talking to Dawn said the incident took place at 4am and he immediately reached the hospital.

“I have told staff to show patience,” he said.

Published in Dawn, November 28th, 2014