KOCHI: The United Nurses Association (UNA), the union of nurses in private hospitals, is looking to formulate a national body. The UNA currently only has state leaders in the eight states it is engaged in. "At present, we only have state leaders and no national representation. With the formation of the committee we will have a national body," said state UNA president Jasmin Sha.
The committee formation will take place at the three-day meet of UNA at Roshni Neelakandan Nagar in Marine Drive. The meeting will begin on Tuesday with a conference of all-India members. Almost 600 members from other states will participate in the conference. CPI state secretary Kanam Rajendran will inaugurate the state meeting on Wednesday. The chief guest will be former Labour Minister Shibu Baby John. The meeting will discuss the future plans of the association.
On November 16 which is also the founding anniversary of UNA, a rally with 50,000 nurses will take place in the city. This will be followed by a public meeting inaugurated by veteran leader V S Achuthanandan.
The UNA is also set to be an independent national trade union soon. It already has union status in some of the states it is engaged in, including Kerala. With its hold on eight states, the UNA has met the criteria to acquire national-level trade union status.
Hospital by UNA
The UNA along with expatriate nurses also announced plans last month to build a hospital. The project presentation of the hospital will also be made at the meeting. "We are currently studying the feasibility of the project. It is aimed at giving good and cheap health care," said Jasmin.