The Odisha Nursing Employees’ Association’ stir, which entered the third day on Thursday, has hit the healthcare services in all the major Government hospitals in the State from the SCB Medical College Hospital in Cuttack to the District Headquarters Hospitals.
Association general secretary Pravati Mohanty said the Health Department Secretary had held a meeting with an association delegation and assured to meet their demands within six months. But the assurances were not fulfilled by the department, she alleged.
The association threatened that if the demands are not met, the nurses would intensify their stir and the department should be held responsible for the problems which the people face.
The staff nurses of MKCG Medical College Hospital and VIMSAR joined the protest which was launched by the staff nurses of the SCB Medical College and Hospital on Monday.
Regularisation of jobs, up-gradation of pay structure and equal pay for equal work with their counterparts working at the State Government establishments are some of the nurses’ major demands.
Meanwhile on Thursday, a delegation of the protestors met Health and Family Welfare Minister Pratap Jena at his residence here.
The Minister informed them that the department is trying to fulfil their demands, but permission has to be taken from the Finance, law and other departments. He urged the protestors to call off the strike, but they said the Minister should give it in writing to fulfil their demands.