PGI Chandigarh Nursing Officers Raise Alarm Over Poor Hostel Conditions

Chandigarh: Nursing officers residing in the Nivedita Hostel of the Post Graduate Institute of Medical Education & Research (PGIMER), Chandigarh, have appealed to the institute’s director for urgent installation of air conditioners (ACs) in their hostel rooms.  

The move comes in response to “deteriorating living conditions” exacerbated by the region’s soaring temperatures, which currently hover around 39°C to 40°C and often exceed 45°C during peak summers.

In a letter to Vivek Lal, Director of PGIMER, the nurses described how the intense heat severely affects their ability to rest and recover after long, demanding hospital shifts. A nursing officer explained that the rooms in Nivedita Hostel, the residence for female nursing officers at PGIMER, become unbearably hot. This extreme heat makes it nearly impossible for them to sleep or feel basic comfort, which in turn directly harms their health, reduces mental alertness, and diminishes their overall efficiency in carrying out clinical duties.

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The officers have requested permission to install air conditioners in their rooms, pledging to follow any technical guidelines laid down by the administration and to ensure safety and uniformity.

Alongside the request for AC installation, the nursing officers have submitted a separate appeal for comprehensive renovation and maintenance of the Nivedita Hostel. They drew attention to a range of pressing infrastructure issues that threaten their health and safety.

According to the news reports, the blocked drainage systems have resulted in stagnant water, foul odours, and increased health risks. Persistent leakage in the washrooms has led to damp floors, while the absence of doors and secure windows has compromised both hygiene and privacy. Poor ventilation and sanitation have caused fungal growth on ceilings and walls, further affecting the residents' well-being.

Additionally, broken water purifiers and coolers have left the nurses without access to clean drinking water. The presence of stray dogs within the hostel premises has also raised serious safety concerns.

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“As dedicated healthcare workers, we are committed to providing uninterrupted patient care, often working in high-stress environments and long shifts. We believe that dignified and hygienic accommodation is a necessity that supports our physical and mental health, which in turn directly impacts our efficiency and performance at work. We hope this appeal will be treated with the urgency it warrants and ensure that we, as essential service providers, are not forced to live in substandard conditions,” says the letter, reports the Indian Express.

Manjeek Kaur, President of the PGIMER Nursing Association, expressed frustration with the system’s neglect. She emphasized that in the current hot and humid weather, having air conditioning is essential, especially given that the nursing officers are working tirelessly in understaffed conditions at the hospital.

Speaking to the Indian Express, Kaur said, “Last year, we spoke about the need for women’s safety at work, including having separate restrooms, washrooms, and emergency buttons. But what we see today is very different. When women officers are living in such poor conditions, it’s not just disappointing, it makes us question the whole system and how much it cares about our well-being.”