ANM aspirants’ row
TURA: The A’chik Youth Welfare Organization (AYWO) has demanded that the government sponsored and bonded Auxiliary Nursing and Midwifery (ANM) candidates be exempted from the interview process for selection of ANM aspirants.
In a memorandum submitted to the Health and Family Welfare Minister, AL Hek, the AYWO pointed out that ANM nurses have already been subjected to a selection process and cleared the same before they got into the nursing course hence it made little sense to make them undergo the same process all over again along with the non-bonded candidates.
“The move would put the selection process for undergoing ANM courses by the government in question and under threat of skepticism. Besides, the issue of accountability for spending public money in sponsoring such students will also arise,” it said.
The AYWO also reiterated its support for the demands of the bonded ANM Association and the Meghalaya Government Nursing Services Association (MGNSA) for appointment on basis of seniority.
“It is learnt that candidates having successfully passed the ANM course as long back as 2008 have been denied government appointment till date. This is not only frustrating but also disturbing for all onlookers and stake holders,” the AYWO stated adding that the case of senior candidates need to be considered given that their eligibility is based on the age criteria.
The AYWO said that it was unfair to subject the ANM candidates to the selection process as the GNM candidates still enjoy the privilege of being exempted from it although both GNM and ANM courses pertain to the Department of Health and Family Welfare.
Further, the AYWO also demanded a full-fledged Nursing Service Rule to be brought out, one that is workable, pragmatic and transparent in nature to incorporate the nursing fraternity’s genuine demands and grievances.
It also proposed that 80% of the vacancies be reserved for government sponsored bonded candidates.