Andhra Pradesh grants radiation leave to contract radiographers, eases nurse shifts at health centres

The Andhra Pradesh health department has rolled out special leave for contract radiographers and radiographic technicians exposed to radiation hazards, alongside duty-rotation reforms aimed at easing the workload on nurses in Primary Health Centres (PHCs).

Health Minister Satya Kumar Yadav instructed officials to act on demands raised by the Contract Employees' Joint Action Committee (JAC), following which Department Secretary G. Veerapandian and Commissioner of Health and Family Welfare K.V.N. Chakradhar Babu reviewed grievances and issued orders covering multiple service issues.

Radiation leave and shift adjustments

Contract staff in X-ray and radiology departments of teaching hospitals will receive 30 days of compulsory special leave after every 11 months of service, which will not be counted against their regular leave entitlement. The concession recognises occupational exposure to radiation.

To address staff shortages, guidelines direct PHCs to adjust duties according to local needs and deploy available personnel more effectively. Where three nurses are posted and one is on leave, the remaining two should rotate duties rather than work continuous 12-hour shifts. Male Nursing Orderlies (MNOs) and Female Nursing Orderlies (FNOs) may be used during the day, while Sanitary Attendants and Ward Attendants may be deployed at night to support staff. Officials have been told to ensure no nurse is required to work a continuous 12-hour day shift, and to use locally available ANMs for duty adjustments.

Training slots and surgery incentives

Students enrolled in DMLT and B.Sc. (MLT) courses will now be permitted to complete one month of their six- or 12-month clinical training at PHCs and Urban Primary Health Centres, with District Medical and Health Officers allocating the training centres.

Contract paramedical staff who participate in surgeries and medical procedures will be entitled to a share of incentives paid through the NTR Vaidya Seva Trust (NTRVST), according to their cadre and prescribed norms. Eligible categories include staff nurses, operation theatre technicians, anaesthesia technicians, laboratory technicians, pharmacists and other associated paramedical personnel. Monthly surgery details, participating staff and payable incentive amounts must be displayed on notice boards.

Source: The Hindu