Odisha Nurses End Four-Day Strike Following Assurance from Health Minister Mukesh Mahaling

Nurses working in state-run hospitals across Odisha ended their four-day protest on Saturday. This decision came after Health Minister Mukesh Mahaling assured them that their list of 10 demands would be addressed. Ashwini Kumar Das, the general secretary of the Odisha Nursing Employees’ Union, stated that nurses resumed work at 11 PM following discussions with the minister.

Despite the imposition of the Odisha Emergency Services Maintenance Act (ESMA), 1988, to prevent the strike, nurses continued their protest. This led to significant disruptions in health services throughout the state. The nursing staff had been firm in their demand for a 10-point charter, which included several key issues.

Nurses' Demands and Government Response

The demands put forth by the nurses included regularising services for those hired on a contractual basis and revising their dress code. They also sought administrative roles within the nursing service cadre and opposed hiring through outsourcing agencies. Additionally, they requested place-based incentives for those working in tribal areas.

Health Minister Mahaling confirmed that the striking nurses agreed to end their protest after receiving assurances from the government. "We called off the strike after the government assured us that our demands would soon be fulfilled. The minister said that the government is aware of our demands and has set up an inter-departmental committee to address our issues," Das told reporters.

Impact of Strike and Resolution

The strike had severely impacted healthcare services across Odisha, highlighting the critical role of nursing staff in public health. The government's commitment to addressing these demands aims to improve working conditions for nurses and ensure better healthcare delivery in the state.

With an inter-departmental committee now established, there is hope among nurses that their concerns will be resolved promptly. This resolution marks a significant step towards improving the welfare of nursing staff and enhancing healthcare services in Odisha.