Kochi: The termination of junior public health nurses (JPHN) employed in government hospitals in the urban areas in Ernakulam district will affect disease prevention, surveillance and immunisation programmes during the high-risk monsoon season.
Nearly 17 nurses and supporting clerical staff have been terminated by the National Health Mission state director citing poor performance.
No alternative arrangements or substitution has been made in the hospitals. The nurses, appointed on contract basis by the NHM, at Aluva district hospital, Paravur taluk hospital, Angamaly taluk hospital, Kothamangalam taluk hospital and Muvattupuzha government hospital, were terminated without giving prior notice.
“Termination of JPHNs will have a serious impact as the district is under the grip of the outbreak of infectious diseases. These nurses have major roles in the public health sector and are engaged in multiple jobs including reporting of fever and other infectious disease cases, surveillance, immunization programme, family planning and other health programmes,” said a senior government doctor.
