Medical services hit across Odisha following cease-work agitation by nursing officers

At any hospital across the world, nurses play a crucial role in providing healthcare services to patients along with the doctors. However, the nursing officers in Odisha have launched a cease-work agitation in Odisha to press for their 10-point charter of demands, leading to a disruption in the healthcare services. The patients and their attendants are now at the receiving end owing to the ongoing strike by members of Odisha Nursing Employees’ Association (ONEA).

The healthcare services at the Paediatrics department of MKCG Medical College and Hospital has been affected. An attendant alleged, “There have been reports of death of children here. We urge the authorities to intervene in the matter so that the strike by the nurses ends at the earliest.”

Another attendant said, “Earlier, injections and treatment was being provided here. But it is for the last couple of days that there has been deviation and we are facing problems due to inordinate delay in seeking urgent help and other assistance.”

Also Read: Nursing staff strike affects patient care service at Jagatsinghpur DHH

The scenes are no different in Sambalpur Sadar hospital as well. As an alternate measure, the administration has deployed nursing students and pharmacists to provide healthcare services to patients. Earlier, the nursing officers were carrying out emergency services. However, they have resorted to complete cease-work agitation from today.

“What can we do as our demands are not being fulfilled by the government? Though the health minister had made an appeal, we want some written assurance regarding our demands. We will continue with our agitation till our demands are not met,” said an agitator in Sambalpur.

A patient in Sambalpur said, “I have been suffering from fever and stomach-ache. I have been waiting for some hours for my turn. We are naturally suffering as the nurses have stopped catering to the needs of patients.”

In Cuttack SCB Medical College and Hospital, the patients were also at the receiving end owing to the strike by the nurses.

“Due to the strike, we are unable to get desired services at the hospital. We are waiting for admission but it has been delayed due to the agitation,” said a patient.

Despite imposition of ESMA, Odisha Nursing Employees’ Association (ONEA) has launched the agitation.

Demands Of Odisha Nursing Employees’ Association

Odisha Nursing Employees’ Association (ONEA) is demanding fulfillment of their 10-point charter of demands that includes regularisation of contractual workers and scrapping of outsourcing. Their demands also include regularisation of left out contractual nursing officers, pay parity, promotion and other benefits on par with other state government employees.

Earlier on Thursday, the Odisha government had decided to constitute an inter-departmental committee to find solution to the demands of the Odisha Nursing Employees’ Association.