Question : Minimum Salary for Nurses

Will the Minister of HEALTH AND FAMILY WELFARE be pleased to state:

(a) whether the Government had noticed that many States including Delhi Government are not implementing the minimum salary for nurses according to the recommendation made by the supreme court on 29th January 2016, if so, the details; and

(b) whether the Government has issued any directives/guidelines to all States to implement minimum salary to nurses, if so, the details thereof;

(c) the steps taken/being taken by the Government for its implementation; and

(d) whether the Government has any proposal to increase patient to nurse ratio in Government hospitals and if so, the details thereof and if not, the reasons therefor?

ANSWER
THE MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF HEALTH AND
FAMILY WELFARE
(SHRI ASHWINI KUMAR CHOUBEY)
(a) to (c): Hon’ble Supreme Court vide judgement dated 29th January, 2016 in Writ Petition (C) No. 527/2011 directed Ministry of Health and Family Welfare to look into the grievances of nurses working in private hospitals/institutions by forming a committee. Accordingly, Ministry of Health and Family Welfare constituted a Committee in February, 2016. The recommendations of the Committee were forwarded to all States / UTs including Delhi Government on 20th September, 2016 for making legislation / guidelines in this regard followed by letters dated 24th October, 2016, 01st November, 2017, 27th December, 2017,13th July, 2018, 10th October, 2018 etc. The issue was also brought to the notice of Health Secretaries of the States during the Quarterly Review Meeting taken by this Ministry on 19-20 September, 2019. However, Health being a State subject, it is for the concerned States Governments/UTs to make legislation and implementation thereof in compliance of the judgement of Hon’ble Supreme Court.

(d): The sanctioned strength of various grades in the nursing cadre in Central Government Hospitals is increased from time to time. Moreover, nurses patient ratio in Government Hospitals is determined in accordance on the guidelines/norms of Staff Inspection Unit.