Doctors/nurses on contract, students pitch in to ensure patients are not adversely hit

Delhi nurses participated in the All India Government Nurses’ Federation mass casual leave call as part of their ongoing protest against the 7th Pay Commission report.

Nurses on strike also shaved their heads as mark of protest at Jantar Mantar, where they have been on a relay hunger strike for the past two week. This, while hospitals in the city, claimed they were “not extensively affected” by the strike.

“We have extended support to the strike called by All India Government Nurses’ Federation on Friday. We had full support from all major hospitals in Delhi, including Safdarjung, G.B. Pant, LNJP, ESIC hospitals, etc.,” said Anil Kumar of the Federation.

“All hospital services continued as usual as we had called in nurses who work on contract, interns and junior doctors to pitch in. Though some routine non-essential services were postponed no patient was turned away,” said A.K. Rai, the medical superintendent at Safdarjung Hospital.

Nurses here, however, claim work was hit and only essential services were running. “Routine operations were not carried out in LNJP, Safdarjung and G.B. Pant Hospitals, and worked was badly hit at all five branches of ESIC hospital, which was providing only essential services,” added Mr. Kumar.

The nurses on strike are demanding a hike in pay grade, nursing allowance, risk allowance and night duty allowance. According to figures released by the nursing federation over 12,000 nurses were off-duty on Friday. Most hospitals said that doctors and students were stationed at casualty, out-patient department and emergency services to ensure that patients were not inconvenienced in any manner.

Meanwhile, the All India Institute of Medical Sciences Nurses Union noted that it has called off the strike proposed for Friday following discussions with Union Health Secretary and AIIMS administration. “The discussions were cordial and constructive,” they maintained.

V. Srinivas, Deputy Director (Administration), said further discussions will continue with regard to pay scales and cadre review issues in the coming days.

The nurses on strike also shaved their heads as a mark of protest at Jantar Mantar