Government nurses go on two-shift strike

NURSING CARE, at all government hospitals went haywire from 3 pm on Friday as nurses went on strike in support of their demands pending with the State government.

Problem surrounded pregnant women admitted to Duffrin and Jhalkaribai hospital and those admitted for severe injuries to Balrampur, civil and Dr Ram Manohar Lohia hospitals.

The sudden absence of nurses from the hospital could not be understood by the patients.

The Rajkiya Nurses Sangh (UP) had threatened a month-long strike of two shifts from March 24. A delegation of the association also met the principal secretary and the chief secretary but talks failed to convince the agitating nurses.

The nurses have decided to work only in one shift, from 10 am to 3 pm, but would not come to duty in the next two shifts. This would continue for a month to mount pressure on the government on their demands and after that they would go on an indefinite strike. “We have been demanding promotions, filing up of vacancies, change in transfer policy, washing and dress allowance since long.

The government in our previous meetings had assured us on these points but failed to bring any change as we had desired,” said Ashok Kumar, general secretary of the association.

Meanwhile, the health department has also plunged into action after the talks between the nurses’ association and the State administration failed.

Arrangements have been made to run patient care facilities through the nurses working on contract basis. “We have nurses on contract at civil, Dr Ram Manohar Lohia and the Balrampur hospitals while a few nurses have been arranged for Duffrin hospital as there are everyday operation cases which cannot be postponed,” said chief medical officer Dr KK Singh. Director of Balrampur hospital Dr SS Srivastava said, “we have deputed interns and nurses from training courses to meet the crisis of two shifts. Since nurses are on duty for one shift, there would not be much crisis.”

The president of the association Ruth Daniel, alleged that government was not paying a heed to the demands as in every meeting officials make commitment against the demands, but do not fulfill them. In the meeting between the association and the director general (medical and health) on July 21, 2005 the State had agreed upon a few demands but they were not fulfilled till date. The Uttar Pradesh Industrial Training Centre Employees’ Association has also extended support to the nurses on strike.