Patiala, April 8 -- The All-India Government Nurses Federation (AIGNF) has written to Union health minister JP Nadda, raising concerns over the Punjab government's decision to allegedly assign nursing students to independently manage patients.

Nursing staff at three government medical colleges and hospitals have been on indefinite strike for the past 13 days, defying the state government's decision to invoke the Essential Services (Maintenance) Act (ESMA) over the demand for the restoration of the Rs.4,600 grade pay.

The AIGNF, in the letter, a copy of which is with HT, said the nursing students have allegedly been assigned care of serious and critical patients without adequate supervision. The letter has also been marked to the Punjab ...