Plea In Delhi High Court Seeks Change In Nomenclature Of Nursing Personnel Working In Private Hospitals At Par With Govt Hospitals

A petition has been moved in the Delhi High Court seeking change in the nomenclature of Nursing Personnel working in private hospitals at par with the Government Hospitals in the national capital.

Moved by Indian Professional Nurses Association, an NGO, through Advocate Jose Abraham, the plea states that the change in nomenclature is an honorthat is being bestowed on the nurses in recognition for their services to the society.

The plea makes Delhi Government, Centre, Indian Nursing Council and Delhi Nursing Council as respondents in the matter.

The Centre had issued directions dated September 9, 2016 for changing the Nomenclature of the Nursing Personnel from the "Staff Nurse" to "Nursing Officer". The same was received by the Nurses working in hospitals under various State Governments.

Reliance has been placed on various hospitals in the national capital including Safdarjang hospital, Dr. Ram Manohar Lohia Hospital, Dr. Baba Saheb Ambedkar Hospital, AIIMS etc that adopted the change in nomenclature.

"Nurses both in private and government hospital are engaged in service of great public importance, i.e. providing healthcare support and as such have equal contribution towards the welfare of society at large," the plea states.

Accordingly, the petition submits that the act of selectively bestowing the honor on certain nurses while depriving the others working in private hospitals, is discriminatory and in violation of Art. 14 of Constitution of India.

Stating that being the backbone of the healthcare system contributed equally in the times of covid 19 pandemic, the plea avers thus:

"That it will not be out of place to say that, bestowing the nurses working in Government hospitals, with the said honorary recognition and keeping the nurses working in the private hospitals deprived of such recognition, would be biased and in violation of the principles enunciated under Article 14 of Constitution of India."

Title: Indian Professional Nurses Association v. Union of India and Ors.