MIMS HOSPITAL-NURSES BEGAN INDEFINITE STRIKE

MIMS HOSPITAL-NURSES

 BEGAN INDEFINITE STRIKE

 

 Nurses of the Malabar Institute of Medical Sciences ( MIMA) have launched an indefinite strike demanding better wage and increase in allowance.Members of the Indian Registered Nurses Association (IRNA) began the strike after discussions held with the hospital management failed to reach a consensus on Wednesday evening.A total of 650 nurses taking part in the strike said that though they had served a demand notice on March 7 and a strike notice on March 19, the management had failed to address their grievances. IRNA president Litto Varghese said a discussion was held with the hospital management in the presence of the regional joint labour commissioner on April 3, but the management has not taken any efforts to solve the problem. He said the nurses will attend only the patients admitted before April 5. He said the venue of the protest will be shifted to the front of the hospital from Friday.

The association has put forth various demands, including a salary of Rs 15,000 for new appointments. It also demanded that the hospital implement the nurses-patients ratio prescribed by the National Accreditation Board for Hospitals while deploying nurses in the hospital. They also demanded a hike in allowances. Meanwhile, the MIMS hospital authorities have issued a press release terming the strike as baseless. They said the pay structure at MIMS for staff nurses is one of the best among hospitals in Kerala.It further said the management was receptive to their demands and had held several rounds of talks but they are not ready to compromise. The hospital authorities informed that only out patient (OP) and primary care services in the emergency department will be available at the hospital from April 5 onwards.

                                                   Prof. John Kurakar