The nursing staff of Government Medical College (GMC), Jammu, has threatened to launch a strike over the alleged use of unparliamentary language by BJP MLA Arvind Gupta.
The Nursing Association of GMC Jammu has submitted a memorandum to Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha seeking action in the matter.
In the memorandum, the association referred to an incident on May 14, allegedly captured in a social media video, in which abusive and threatening language was used against hospital staff despite the patient having already been attended to by the medical team during the MLA’s visit.
The association also alleged that an aide of the MLA recorded the interaction inside the ward premises and later uploaded the video on social media, affecting the morale and dignity of hospital staff.
The memorandum highlighted the role played by the nursing staff during the Covid-19 pandemic and other emergency situations, including the Chishoti cloudburst tragedy in Kishtwar and Operation Sindoor. “The same nursing unit worked courageously during the pandemic and handled mass trauma and disaster situations with professionalism,” the association stated.
The staff alleged that the video appeared intended to provoke public sentiment and gain political attention at the expense of healthcare workers’ reputation.
The association has demanded a written and public apology from the MLA. It warned that if the video is not removed and action is not taken by May 18, the staff may proceed with protests or a strike.
