With the second wave of the Covid-19 pandemic ravaging the country, the Nagaland Nursing Council (NNC) and Nagaland State Pharmacy Council (NSPC) have separately reminded the nurses and registered pharmacists of their code of ethics and etiquette.
NNC president Dr. Christy Simpson stated that it was the primary responsibility of the nurses to attend to the needs of the people affected with Covid-19.
Dr. Simpson reminded the nurses that they were the backbone of the health care system, adding that their presence and efforts in the health care settings made a great difference to the life of the patients going to hospital or health care centre.
NNC president said that it was normal and human to experience fear while caring for such patients. However, Dr. Simpson said that strict adherence to the COVID protocols reduced the risk of getting the infection.
Council president said that efforts would be made to arrange for training and educating all nurses working in Nagaland to equip them with necessary skills and knowledge required to effectively care for COVID patients. “We are hopeful that the classes will help allay fears and anxiety related to the disease,” Dr. Simpson said, adding that response/queries from the nurses related to the Covid-19 care was welcome.
Any nurse in need of counselling could contact Inaholi Asumi (9089734843). NNC has also requested all nurses to support and cooperate with the health care institutions to provide quality care to patients with Covid-19. “We call upon all nurses to be faithful to their duty, keeping the professional conduct, etiquette and our code of ethics in mind,” NNC president said.
The council has warned that non-compliance, refusal to render care, failure to report to duty, abandoning the responsibilities and tendering resignation without proper ground would lead to disciplinary action as per the rules and regulations of the council.
NSPC: Lauding the pharmacists for their “commendable job” since the onset of pandemic, the Nagaland State Pharmacy Council (NSPC) has appealed to all the registered pharmacists—hospital, clinical, community pharmacists (wholesale/retail pharmacy) and regulators—to be on firm footing during the pandemic crisis.
In a press release, NSPC registrar Khele Thorie urged the pharmacists to stand with the government, civil society organisations etc and play a role model as healthcare professionals with the best of their technical knowledge to save the society.
The council has, therefore, appealed to all the registered pharmacists not to step back or hesitate from duty on the ground of pandemic crisis. “Let us recall the pharmaceutical code of ethics, professional etiquette and pharmacists’ oath laid down in the Pharmacy Practice Regulation 2015,” NPSC registrar stated.
The council has warned registered members especially the community pharmacists not to indulge in any illegal practices while rendering services and duties including hoarding of medical equipments and supplies, charging of exorbitant rates on medical items and drugs, illegal practices such as black marketing etc.
Any member found indulging in illegal practices, the council said would be liable for disciplinary action as per the provision of the Rule and Regulations of the Pharmacy Profession under appropriate sections and Acts of the law.