Workshop
on
Nursing Management of Cardio-thoracic and Vascular
Surgeries from
April 2-9, 2003
The overall
purpose of the workshop is to update and improve
upon the knowledge and skills of nurse practitioners
of various levels concerning bio-technical advancement
and challenges in the area of cardio-thoracic and
vascular surgeries.
|
| 
|
| Policy
& Position Statement > Human Rights
: |
  |
|
|
Human
Rights
The
Trained Nurses’, Association of India (TNAI) endorses the United
Nations’ Declaration of Human Rights (HR) proclamation that
all people are born free and equal thus, enjoy basic principles
of equality and non discrimination as set out in the declaration.
Association believes that its members would collaborate with
government, voluntary organisations and agencies working towards
the protection of Human Rights
- Members
of the Association observed with concern the situation(s)
involving violation of Human Rights.
-
Nurses
as care providers and women are increasingly becoming themselves
victims of violence in many insidious ways and also witnessing
growing range of violence against women viz. battering, beating,
burning, sexual abuse, rape, disfigurement, mental torture
and killing etc.
-
Although
access to health care services is one of the basic Human Right,
yet many of our people living in urban slums and remote rural
areas do not have access to basic health services because
of poverty, illiteracy, ignorance, transport difficulties,
inadequate communication links etc. People die with diseases
and women during childbirth because of non-availability of
timely accessible competent care.
-
Nurses
during their employment in different organisations directly
or indirectly are likely to be in a ‘risky’ situation where
they may be involved in inhuman or degrading treatment of
their patient(s).
The
Trained Nurses’ Association of India as a professional body urges
all Nurse Practitioners and Nursing personnel to join advocating
forces on Human Rights as follows: To assure that all human beings
have the right to a healthy existence and to get timely and competent
health care facilities within their means at their doorstep, and
utilising these for their benefit.
-
The
Association has obligation in support of the Article 10 of
1984 UN convention against torture and other cruel, inhuman
or degrading treatment or punishment. That, Nurses be aware
and understand the component of Human Rights and implication
of its violation, ethical obligation of nursing personnel
in preventing violation of Human Rights and rehabilitation
of the victim(s) of torture etc. Therefore, the TNAI recommends
and supports the development of curriculum by Indian Nursing
Council (INC) of Human Rights and Torture which is to be incorporated
in basic and post basic programmes of nursing.
-
The
Trained Nurses’ Association of India also suggests that there
should be Continuing Education programmes for nursing personnel
on Human Rights which may be organised by TNAI State Branches,
Government Sectors and Private Sectors etc.
-
Nurses/Nursing
Personnel as their ethical obligation should not take part
in any form of diagnostic procedure/examination and treatment
that deprives a person of respect to which he/she is entitled
as a human being.
-
Nurse
is ethically obligated to report if Human Right of his/her
patient is violated.
-
The
Association further recommends that Nurses while working with
various age groups in different health care settings must
create awareness about their rights as human being.
Nursing
Ethics
India
is a welfare state and it recognises health as a fundamental right
of the people. Thus since independence (1947) there have been
considerable changes in health policies of the Government in all
effort to fulfil its commitments to the goal of "Health for
All" through expanded and Primary Health Care, the primary
functionaries and the largest component of health manpower.
Nurses
while rendering care in a politically oriented health care system
and due to bringing health services under the Consumer Protection
Act are increasingly facing ethical issues. Nursing Ethics are
the professional standard of conduct practised by Nurse practitioners
related to or in accordance with approved moral behaviour in rendering
health care services.
Issues
influencing/affecting the ethical conduct of Nurses are influenced
by: over stretching of health care facilities; inadequate nursing
organisation structure to facilitate quality care; defective recruitment
rules to ensure appropriate utilisation of Nurses; deficit education
facilities and opportunities for Nurses on the job updating their
skills and for further advancement; unprotective work environment;
uncontrolled privatisation and commercialisation of health services;
participation in practising of defensive investigations and treatment;
fear of violation of the patient’s or client’s individuality and
confidentiality etc.
The
Trained Nurses’ Association of India believes that as a professional
person each Nurse is ethically and morally responsible for giving
the required care to each individual to the best of her/his ability
and refraining from such acts that would harm or exploit the patient/client
as well as themselves. Therefore, Nurses on the job must seek
and avail necessary opportunities that would keep them abreast
of the changes and also provide facilities and fora to render
effective, efficient care and share their views mutually on issues/acts
which they may consider unethical and immoral.
The
Association, therefore, in the interest of sustaining ethical
behaviour of the Nurses recommends as follows:
- Only
those procedures which are taught and learnt through prescribed
educational programmes and on the job training should be carried
out on the patient/client.
- Irrespective
of caste, creed, religion, sex every person should be helped
and cared to attain/maintain optimum levels of health.
|
© 2002, Trained Nurses' Association of India (TNAI), All
Rights Reserved.