Ranchi: IG (prison) Harsh Mangal joined Rajendra Institute of Medical Sciences (RIMS) as additional director on Friday in keeping with chief minister Raghubar Das's decision to appoint an IAS officer to streamline the functioning of the state's largest heal hub where a series of measures are being taken to improve operational efficiency.
RIMS acting director Dr R.K. Srivastava said the new officer would soon get a chamber while plans were on to hire 200 more nurses and depute at least 25 retired army officers to improve the hospital's security apparatus that has always been a concern for doctors, staff and patients.
Chief minister Raghubar Das, at a meeting with health department officials on June 13, declared that henceforth there would be zero tolerance for indiscipline and that he was committed to making RIMS the pride of Jharkhand.
Hospital sources said it was in the light of these decisions that the services of 35 nurses, outsourced from agencies, were terminated on Thursday. The 35 nurses were among those who had gone on strike, along with regular nurses, on June 2.
"Mangla, who has been given additional charge of RIMS, would be sitting here and start looking after the administration," said acting director Srivastava.
On nurses, he said that after Thursday's action against 35, the number of nurses at RIMS was down to 373.
"Our requirement is over 700 nurses. Therefore, to make up the shortfall, we are planning to appoint 200 more nurses of which 100 will be trainees - those who have completed their course - and 100 will be appointed on ad hoc basis. Their services will continue till their appointments are regularised by Jharkhand State Subordinate Staff Selection Committee," he explained.
Srivastava said that the 25 ex-servicemen would join within a week.
"Out of the 25, 20 will be retired sepoys while five will be those who retired as junior commissioned officer. They will comprise an additional force to take care of over 400 private security guards already deputed at RIMS," he said.
But a RIMS employee appeared sceptical of the measures.
"RIMS has miles to go to become the pride of Jharkhand as it needs improvement in every sphere. It should first ensure that all washrooms, a majority of which remain closed, are opened, he said and offered to list out other priorities.
"It should take care of staff attendance and presence of senior doctors. It should plan regular water supply. Also, it has to ensure that nurses are fit to work as some of them aren't able to take care of patients due to their poor health," the employee added.
But director Srivastava promised to usher in a visible change. "The chief minister is very serious about RIMS," he said.
Mangla confessed he was yet to completely understand his role and responsibilities at RIMS. "I will hold a meeting with RIMS officials soon to understand the issues before planning out revamp measures," he said.
