New Delhi: Two Ram Manohar Lohia Hospital nurses suspended

New Delhi: Two nurses at the Ram Manohar Lohia Hospital here have been suspended by authorities in connection with a recent minor fire incident near an operation theatre of the hospital, triggering protests from fellow nurses.

Services at the hospital were affected as the nurses halted work and agitated over the decision.

The fire incident was reported from the hospital on August 25 around 1.30 AM.

The fire broke out near the operation theatre in which surgical equipment and laparoscopy machines were damaged, according to police.

General Secretary of Delhi Nurses Federation Liladhar Ramchandani said, "The two nurses were suspended in connection with the fire case."

Sources said, they were suspended over alleged negligence of duty.

The suspension triggered strong reaction from other nurses at the hospital, who halted work even as authorities tried to assuage them.

"Services were affected today as nurses refuse to work in protest," he said.

The hospital employs about 840 nurses of whom 236 are on contract.

Ramchandani, also Spokesperson of All India Government Nurses Federation, said, "Nurses across the country are going on strike and RML nurses are joining us too. But, this was an internal matter."

On August 28, when the police had first reported the case, the hospital authorities had initially denied the incident.