'Nursing maids' can help plug gap

I recently watched a programme on homes for seniors, in which an acute shortage of nurses was cited.

Looking for well-qualified or trained nurses is not easy, even in the global market.

Hence, the Government should think of creating and recruiting a separate class of employees called "nursing maids" - a category of better-educated maids who can be trained to work with nurses and improve patient care wherever needed.

These maids can be trained on the job with nurses, with some academic support to further help their understanding of the role.

They can be much better paid than household maids.

However, no maid levy should apply to these maids and their contracts should be for at least three years.

These maids can be provided with hostel-dormitory accommodation close to community hospitals and homes.

We have to think out of the box, in view of the looming shortage of nurses.

M.V. Ramani

This article was first published on April 17, 2015.
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