Contractual nurses put strike on hold till March 2018

Bhubaneswar: Contractual nurses, appointed under the National Health Mission, today put their ongoing strike across Odisha on hold following discussion with the government.

The nurses were on cease-work since December 18 demanding regularization of job and hike in salary.

The agitating nurses on Wednesday agreed to put their stir on hold till March 2018. However, they clarified that if their demands are not fulfilled, they will resort to strike again.

Patients at the government hospitals in Odisha were having a tough time due to the cease-work agitation of the nurses.

Healthcare services in government hospitals were in dire straits with patients at VIMSAR Medical College and Hospital being forced to leave the hospital due to absence nursing staff. The MKCG Medical College and Hospital, Berhampur, was also finding it difficult to manage the crisis.

Also Read: Agitating contractual nurses stay put

Besides, Rourkela government hospital on Wednesday wrote to the Chief District Medical Officer, Sundergarh to appoint more nurses as the healthcare services in the hospital was hit hard.

Earlier on Tuesday, the nurses had resorted to a unique protest by wearing black masks with hangman’s noose.

The nurses, protesting at the Lower PMG square here, had been alleging that they get remuneration of mere Rs 10,700 a month while regular government staff nurses get around Rs 30,000 to Rs 50,000 including dearness, house rent and also uniform allowances depending on their seniority.