Kuwait: Uncertain Future Awaits Trained Nurses from Karnataka

Daijiworld Media Network - Mangalore (MB)
with inputs from Pascal Pinto, Kuwait

Kuwait, Aug 2: According to reports available from reliable sources, nurses holding nursing diploma certificates with title “Trained Nurses Certificate” are facing uncertain future in the State of Kuwait

All nurses having appeared for the exams in the state of Karnataka under directorate of medical education prior to 1992 hold the above-mentioned certificate. The problem has been faced since 2002. Many nurses who were selected by the ministry of health between  2002 and 2006 have been denied licence to practise for reason of holding the so designated certificates.

All those who had arrived in Kuwait upon selection by various hospitals had to return to India on account of the de-recognition of their certificates by the ministry of higher education officials.

Pascal Pinto with Dr V S Acharya

One such nurse who had been selected by the ministry of health (MOH) in December 2003 has remained in Kuwait and is fighting for justice single-handedly. She had been an employee of Saudi Aramco Hospital for seven long years. Upon her selection by the MOH, she left her secure job to join the MOH, only to get the shock of her lifetime because of the ministry of higher education's step.

Taking into consideration her vast experience, one of the well-known private hospitals of Kuwait has employed her. She is now fighting to get her certificates recognized by the ministry of higher education of Kuwait, the local counterpart. Informed sources said that the MOH has promised the hospital management to look into the cases of all nurses holding the above certificates and employed anywhere in Kuwait. It will then decide whether to recognize the certificate or maintain the status quo and terminate the services of all the nurses from the employment in Kuwait.

NRI social worker Pascal Pinto has taken up this cause and has approached various officials and ministers in Bangalore, Karnataka. Administrative Reforms Commission chairman M Veerappa Moily has also taken up this cause and has extended all possible help.

Pascal has also submitted a memorandem to Karnataka minister of health education Dr V S Acharya, who. in response, has thoroughly studied case and promised to take proper action in very near future. He has also expressed the hope that the matter would be settled soon and the During their meeting, the honorable minister responded positively and promisingly assured that this matter settled and notified as soon as possible.

Anyone facing similar problems can contact Pascal Pinto at p_pinto90@hotmail.com or Norbert Mendonca at almason_1@hotmail.com for assistance.