Only 85 nurses on duty, the required is of 205 nurses

Metro India News | Hyderabad 

Osmania Hospital is grappling with a severe nursing shortage, leaving both medical staff and patients in distress. Nurses across all hospital wards are struggling to manage an overwhelming workload, while patients face delays and inadequate care. 

Currently, the hospital has 300 nurses serving across various departments. However, a recent transfer of 110 nurses without timely replacements has exacerbated the crisis. An official from Osmania General Hospital revealed that the nursing staff consists of 64 senior nursing officers, 193 nursing officers, and 60 nurses on deputation. 

The Intensive Care Unit (ICU) is among the hardest-hit areas, with 288 beds requiring a 1:1 nurse-to-patient ratio. However, only 85 nurses are available, falling drastically short of the required 205. The high-risk ward, which has 259 beds, also suffers from staff shortages, requiring 120 nurses but having only 60 on duty. Similarly, the general ward, which accommodates 525 beds, faces significant staffing gaps. 

To mitigate the crisis, nurses recruited between 2021 and 2024 are undergoing additional training to handle increased demands. Hospital authorities noted that most nurses are women and have provisions for multiple sanctioned leaves, including priority leave, which further stretches available resources. 

The outpatient department (OP) is also struggling due to insufficient staff. With 30 departments requiring at least two nurses per ward, the existing workforce is proving inadequate. One nurse highlighted that the hospital’s current shift system, where 300 nurses rotate across three shifts, means only 100 nurses are available per shift—far less than what is needed. Many nurses reportedly leave work as late as 2 a.m., raising serious safety concerns. 

In light of these challenges, hospital staff have urged authorities to expedite nursing appointments to restore optimal patient care. They emphasize that unless immediate action is taken, Osmania Hospital's ability to provide quality healthcare services will continue to deteriorate.