Recruitment of contract staff nurses through DHS comes under fire
An official communication referred to the meetings conducted by the Health Secretary with the respective heads of departments to review vacancies in various posts across the health directorates. The huge vacancy position in the post of staff nurse in each directorate was reviewed and concerns were expressed over addressing the issue without delay.
Considering the huge number of vacancies in the posts of contract staff nurses, an instruction to explore filling up the posts on a contract basis through the DHS was issued. Temporary/scheme/contract posts of staff nurse, pharmacist, and lab technician grade III on a contract basis should be filled up through the DHS, as is being done for other categories of temporary/scheme/contract posts.
District Health Officers (DHO) should take an estimate of all vacancies in the contract post of staff nurse, pharmacist and lab technician grade III sanctioned for National Health Mission (NHM), Tamil Nadu and take immediate steps to fill in a time-bound manner. They were told to strictly follow the contract norms while issuing appointment orders to the selected candidates on a contractual basis - contract appointment is for 11 months only and a declaration that the contractual appointment is purely temporary should be obtained.
N. Subin, general secretary, Tamil Nadu Nurses Empowerment Association, said that until now, nurses recruited through the MRB were posted to the NHM's contract posts. 'Nurses, who qualify through MRB, are posted on a contractual basis. As per norms, those not below two years of service are brought to timescale pay as and when vacancies in regular posts arise. Instead of the usual procedure, the Health Department is now going to make contractual appointments for 11 months. There will be no permanency in posts if this materialises,' he said.
In a statement issued, the association said there were nearly 4,000 vacant posts of contract nurses, pharmacists and lab technicians across all three directorates. The order issued by NHM, Tamil Nadu to fill these vacancies on an 11-month contractual basis through the DHS would affect the State's health sector.
The association said that it is shocking that the department, despite a court order to reinstate nearly 700 nurses who were recruited through MRB for COVID-19, has gone ahead to fill the vacant posts through DHS instead of posting them. They demanded the State government to drop the move and recruit nurses and other staff through the MRB.

Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles


India Gazette
2 hours ago
- India Gazette
485 people are currently on Nipah virus contact list in Kerala, says Health Minister Veena George
Thiruvananthapuram (Kerala) [India], July 8 (ANI): Health Minister Veena George on Tuesday informed that a total of 485 people are currently on the Nipah virus contact list in Kerala as containment measures intensify across districts, according to the official statement. According to the Health Department, Malappuram district has 192 contacts under observation, followed by Palakkad with 176, Kozhikode with 114, Ernakulam with 2, and Kannur with 1. In Malappuram, 18 people are receiving treatment, with one patient in ICU care. So far, 42 samples from the district have tested negative for Nipah virus. In Palakkad, 3 individuals remain in isolation, with 7 samples confirmed negative to date, as per the release. In a statement, Statewide, 26 individuals have been classified as highest risk, while 117 are in the high-risk category and are under strict monitoring. The confirmed Nipah patient from Palakkad continues to undergo treatment in the ICU in Kozhikode. A high-level meeting was held to assess the situation, attended by the Additional Chief Secretary of the Health Department, the NHM State Mission Director, the Directors of Health Services and Medical Education, Additional Directors, District Collectors, District Medical Officers, and senior officials from various departments. Earlier in the day, George chaired a review meeting regarding the prevention of the Nipah virus at the Collectorate Conference Hall in Malappuram. There are 461 people in the Nipah contact list, out of which 27 people are at a high risk, Health Minister Veena George said. Health Minister Veena George on Monday said, 'There are currently 461 people in the Nipah contact list in the state. Out of these, 252 are from the Malappuram district and 209 are from the Palakkad district. 27 people are on the high-risk list. They are undergoing treatment in Malappuram, Palakkad, Kozhikode, Kannur and Ernakulam districts.' The minister added, 'Out of 48 people in the contact list, 46 have tested negative. Out of these, 23 are in Manjeri Medical College and 23 in Kozhikode.' She added that the people on the high-risk list are in quarantine, and all persons on the list have been found. (ANI)


Hans India
6 hours ago
- Hans India
MP: SHGs in Neemuch district set an inspiring example of women's empowerment
Neemuch: A women's self-help group from Neemuch district in Madhya Pradesh has set an extraordinary example of women's empowerment by transforming their village economy and lives, through the production of sanitary pads. Supported by the National Rural Livelihood Mission (NRLM), the women of Khor Gram Panchayat have turned a bold idea into a thriving business that champions health, dignity, and self-reliance. It is often said that no work is impossible if one has courage, and the Nari Swabhiman Self-Help Group of Khor village proves exactly that. Formed during the difficult days of the COVID-19 pandemic, this group of determined women not only created their own identity but also set a benchmark for others to follow. Inspired by the film Padman, they began producing sanitary pads to promote menstrual hygiene and women's health in their community, giving themselves—and countless others—a new sense of dignity and self-respect. Named Nari Swabhiman (Women's Self-Respect), the group's journey took flight with the support of Prime Minister Narendra Modi's women-empowerment initiatives and NRLM's mission to provide sustainable livelihoods in rural India. The group received its first major opportunity during the pandemic when they were awarded a contract to make PPE kits, along with financial assistance of Rs 3 lakh. That early success became the foundation for their next big leap. Today, these women produce hygienic, safe, and affordable sanitary pads on a large scale, at prices lower than market rates. Their work doesn't just support their families financially but also raises awareness about menstrual hygiene. Through their 'Nari Swabhiman Sanitary Pads,' they are empowering women to live with confidence and health, breaking age-old taboos in the process. The group's president, Mona Khoiwal, recalls how it all began: 'In 2020, twelve of us from the village came together to form this self-help group. During the Corona period, we started by making PPE kits. Later, with the Rs 3 lakh loan under NRLM, we bought a small machine to manufacture sanitary pads. We then went from village to village, talking to women about menstrual health and the importance of using pads. Akshay Kumar's movie Padman was a big inspiration for us—it showed us what was possible, and we tried to inspire other women too. Now, with bigger machines, we're fulfilling large orders from across India. We're deeply thankful to Modiji for his efforts toward women's empowerment.' The success story doesn't stop there. As demand grew, so did their capacity. The group expanded production by investing in advanced machinery, allowing them to fulfil increasingly large orders coming from various parts of the country. Bharti Nakwal, another dedicated member of the group and a resident of Khor village, shared her experience: 'We manufacture sanitary napkins here under the brand name Nari Swabhiman. Mona Khoiwal is our group's operator. We've been working for 5–6 years now. Initially, we made them by hand, but as demand increased, we upgraded to bigger machines. Every morning, we start the machines and use pulp, stickers, and other materials to produce the pads. Some of us operate the machines, while others weigh and pack the napkins.' Bharti further explained the motivation behind their mission: 'Earlier, women used to use cloth, which often caused infections and diseases. We wanted to change that and protect women's health. That's why we started this napkin business. Around 10–15 women work here every day. We receive orders worth Rs 5–8 lakh that we complete in 8–10 days. We feel so proud doing this work—it's meaningful and helps protect women from diseases.' NRLM is a poverty alleviation project implemented by the Ministry of Rural Development, a branch of the Government of India. This plan is focused on promoting self-employment and the organisation of the rural poor. The idea behind this program is to organise the poor into SHGs and make them capable of self-employment.


Indian Express
9 hours ago
- Indian Express
Toddlers in India are missing key developmental milestones due to excessive screen time; parents, mental health experts weigh in
In many homes across northern India, toddlers are spending significantly more time in front of screens than experts recommend, often with parents unaware of the developmental risks. A new study published in BMJ Paediatrics Open, based on a survey of 3,624 parents across five Indian states, found that screen exposure among children aged two–five far exceeds the World Health Organization (WHO) guidelines. 'Parents used screen time for their own rest, to carry out household chores, or to pacify their children,' the study noted. Many believed this was beneficial, but the trade-off was clear: reduced verbal interaction, physical activity, and developmental play. Speech and hearing specialist Priyank Bhutani, a co-author of the study and PhD scholar at Tezpur University, said the research was driven by a lack of Indian data on how screen time affects early development. 'About 13 per cent of children were getting up to eight hours of screen time daily, and 70–80 per cent of parents didn't even know what the guidelines were,' he told This stands in stark contrast to World Health Organization guidelines, which recommend zero screen time for children under 2, and no more than one hour of supervised, high-quality content for ages 2–5. Instead, activities like reading or storytelling with a caregiver are encouraged. 'Screens were being used to feed, soothe, and occupy kids,' Bhutani said. 'Children with higher screen time were found to engage less in talking with parents and peers, had reduced outdoor play and were less likely to participate in creative activities,' the study mentioned. Bhutani describes screens as 'digital helpers' that became indispensable during and after the COVID-19 pandemic. 'They became the easiest way to keep children occupied while parents focused on daily responsibilities.' This resonates with many urban parents. Natasha Puri, a mother of two toddlers aged two and four, admitted, 'With two young kids, a job, and trying to protect my mental health, screen time is a crutch. We're way over the 20-minute recommendation, but it's the best I can manage.' Similarly, Ratish Sreekumar, 41, father to two children aged two and five, said: 'It started with the intention of augmented learning, but yes, I'd be lying if I said entertainment, convenience and simply keeping him occupied didn't play a role.' What makes this trend particularly concerning is how screens are infiltrating critical learning moments. The damage isn't just about time spent on screens, it's about what that time is replacing. 'When a child eats while staring at a screen, they're not experiencing the food –– how it smells, tastes, feels,' Bhutani said. 'Gone is the baby talk: 'Open your mouth, it's yum!' There's no interaction.' This loss of communication is being seen in clinics. 'As a speech and language therapist, I've seen a surge in parents reporting delays in speech and language,' Bhutani said. The underlying issue, he explained, is fundamental: 'Language is a learned behaviour. It doesn't happen automatically. A screen cannot give you two-way communication. You need a social environment to learn.' Mental health professionals are observing similar patterns. Dr Sakshi Mehrotra, an existential humanistic therapist and founder of Mindlogs, noted a rise in toddlers with 'delayed speech, reduced eye contact, poor frustration tolerance, and difficulties engaging in imaginative play or independent exploration, all foundational to healthy emotional and cognitive development.' 'Often, these signs get misread —– parents might assume the child is just shy or independent,' she said. 'Reduced curiosity or playfulness – the child preferring passive screen time over exploring toys, nature, or social spaces – difficulty tolerating boredom, meltdowns when the screen is turned off, inability to self-soothe without digital distraction are all red flags.' Counselling psychologist Rajvi Turakhia describes this as 'digital dysregulation.' Children exposed to fast-paced screen content become desensitised to normal stimuli. 'The brain begins craving the dopamine hit of quick cuts, loud sounds, and instant gratification. Once the screen's off, regular life feels boring or even frustrating.' Many parents are aware of the risks but feel stuck. Neha Popli Dhamija, a teacher and mother of a 4-year-old, said, 'My daughter started mimicking cartoon characters and behaving like them. That's when I cut back and focused on play instead. It made a big difference in her mood and attention span.' She also said, 'In hindsight, too much screen time hindered development, not just for my daughter but many kids around. I've seen cases where children face speech delays or show signs of autism linked to excessive screen exposure.' Abhilasha Daga, mother of a 3-year-old, said, 'On high screen time days, he's more irritable, less responsive, and harder to settle at bedtime. It's like he's overstimulated.' For Sreekumar, the effects were behavioural. 'My 2-year-old becomes more stubborn and unruly after screen time, so we've started capping it and being more selective about the content.' The study found that what children watch is just as important as how long they watch. The WHO guidelines specify that even the permitted hour for two-five year olds should be 'assisted'. Bhutani stressed that screen time must be interactive and supervised. 'It should be co-viewed, not passive,' he said. 'We must pay attention to both duration and content.' Puri noted changes in her son's behaviour depending on what he was watching. 'He was more aggressive when watching angry dinosaurs. I had to ban that content.' Despite widespread awareness that excessive screen time isn't ideal, parents consistently report a lack of practical, accessible guidance. 'I don't think there's enough clear or accessible guidance for Indian parents. Most information is either too technical or hidden behind paywalls/paid subscribers. There's also a lot of conflicting advice online,' said Abhilasha. This echoes the research findings. 'There's a huge gap,' Bhutani said, adding, 'There should be an Indian-based, Indian context on Indian data guidelines. And there should be programmes to train parents what to do if you're not giving a screen.' Turakhia said, 'There's a serious lack of accessible, non-judgemental psychoeducation for parents. Many don't have the information they need to make informed choices or aren't sure what realistic alternatives look like.' Mental health professionals stressed that addressing this issue requires understanding, not condemnation. 'Parents are doing their best with limited tools,' said Dr Mehrotra. 'Many believe that educational apps compensate for real-life interaction, but they don't.' Turakhia points out that modern parenting is uniquely challenging. 'Dual-income homes, limited support, and digital distractions have reshaped the parenting landscape. Rather than strict prohibitions, we need small, sustainable shifts –– like screen-free meals, bedtime routines, or co-viewing on weekends.' The good news is that it's not too late. 'Children's brains are incredibly plastic in the early years,' Turakhia explained. 'Even small changes can yield significant improvements –– if parents have the right tools.' Bhutani emphasises the bigger picture. 'If this continues unchecked, screen exposure could become a public health crisis. We need awareness campaigns, government-led initiatives, and most importantly, support for parents who want to do better but don't know how.' He also said, 'Most parents know there's a problem. They're not in denial, they just need help navigating it.' As India continues its digital transformation, the goal, experts agreed, is to help families make informed choices. The challenge isn't to eliminate screens entirely but to find a sustainable balance. 'It's about slowly reclaiming space for shared, screen-free moments that nurture both parent and child,' Dr Mehrotra said. Swarupa is a Senior Sub Editor for the lifestyle desk at The Indian Express. With a passion for storytelling, she delves into the realms of art & culture, fitness, health, nutrition, psychology, and relationships, empowering her readers with valuable insights. ... Read More