Over 650 nursing and para-medical staff of the JAH Group of Hospitals have gone on an indefinite strike demanding higher pay as per the recommendations of the Seventh Central Pay Commission.
Fuming at the insufficient pay and upset that the Government hasn’t done anything about it even after seven years of agitation, the nurses and para medical staff have decided to go on an indefinite strike, putting at risk the lives of thousands of patients in the largest group of hospitals in the Gwalior Chambal Division.
The Medical Teachers and doctors too are supporting the agitation.
Taking note of the strike the hospital authorities tried to make alternate arrangements by pressing into service about 300 nursing students from various nursing colleges and about 20 doctors from the Health Department to take care of the patients.
However the striking nurses and the para- medical staff prevented them from entering the hospital, creating an unpleasant situation in the hospital premises.
Talking to the media, Rekha Parmar, the State President of the Nursing Association said that the nursing students are not skilled or trained enough to take care of the patients. She added that most of those students are not qualified to give even injections.
She further said that the nurses have no other option but to go on strike and cautioned the authorities that they will not return to work unless their demands are met.
Dr Sunil Agarwal, District President of the Medical Teachers Association said that the Association is completely in support of the nurses’ strike as it feels it is fair and the only resort left to them.
He further said that very soon the doctors and the teaching staff too will go on strike to support the nurses.
Dr JS Sikarwar, Superintend of the JAH Group of Hospitals said that the authorities have made alternate arrangements and will see that the patients are not put into any unnecessary difficulties.