PANJIM: The fate of the students undergoing a two-year Multipurpose Health Workers (Male) (MPHW) (M) course hangs in balance as the course is unrecognised and invalid for both — government and private jobs.
The first batch completed its course in August 2022 and they have been issued certificates and mark sheets without title of subjects.
The students are demanding mark sheets or certificates at par with the Goa Nursing Council or Maharashtra Nursing Council with title of subjects mentioned.
The course is being conducted by the Directorate of Skill Development and Entrepreneurship and the total 37 students are studying comprising of three batches.
The students are demanding addendum of State Council for Vocational Training to the existing State Nursing Council of the Recruitment Rules of Auxiliary Nursing Midwifery (ANM), MPHW (Female), MPHW (M) which is pending since April 2021 at the Public Health Department, Secretariat, Porvorim.
As per Goa Nursing Council Act 2012, MPHW (M) are nursing personnel and need mandatory registration or could face prosecution for practicing.
The students are also demanding to register the passed out students with the State Council for Vocational Training pending with the same Council housed in the Directorate of Skill Development and Entrepreneurship.
Aldona MLA Adv Carlos Alvares Fereira had raised the matter in the Goa Assembly, but it is still pending.
The aggrieved students were even honoured as Covid-19 warriors during the pandemic when posted for practicals and internship at Government PHCs, CHCs, UHCs and hospitals. But the government has not settled their demands, the students said.
