NIMS nursing officers protest over long pending demands

Hyderabad: Demanding that the management fulfil their long-pending demands, the nursing officers at the Nizam’s Institute of Medical Sciences (NIMS), Hyderabad, staged a protest on Monday by organising a one-hour rally on the hospital premises.

Holding placards and banners with slogans such as "One Hospital, One Rule" and "Don’t Exploit Our Rights", the nurses staged the protest peacefully and returned to work after an hour.

The nursing staff alleged that although the rally was planned within the hospital campus, the administration locked certain gates to prevent them from moving. This action angered the nursing staff, who remained firm on continuing their protest.

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While the rally was held on Monday, the nurses said they had been raising their demands with the hospital authorities for the past week, urging to resolve the pending issues.

Their demands include resuming medical services at NIMS for parents of contract nursing officers, filling vacant nursing posts, earned leave (EL) encashment, a cadre review, and granting proper status and AIIMS-level salaries to lecturers at the NIMS Nursing College. They are also seeking better service benefits, promotions, adequate staffing and basic welfare facilities.

The nurses further demanded implementation of EL encashment as approved by the NIMS Executive Board, along with the enhanced gratuity of Rs 16 lakh notified in G.O. Ms No.56 issued in June 2021. They also sought three months’ maternity leave for women employees, as per G.O. Ms No.209 issued in November 2016.

Speaking to The Hindu, NIMS Nursing Union General Secretary Krishna said, "The staff had been observing a peaceful black badge protest for the past one week to draw attention to unresolved issues related to service and welfare. As part of the protest, the union had planned a short rally, entirely within the hospital premises. We were not stepping out of the hospital. Despite this, the Director and Medical Superintendent instructed security guards to lock the gates and prevent us from moving."

“Some representatives were asked to come in for negotiations. During the talks, the management told us that the issues would have to be taken up with the Health Minister and that an appointment would be arranged,” Mr Krishna said.

“It’s been a week since we launched our peaceful protests. As of now, there are no signs of the management agreeing to our just demands. We will continue to participate in protests till authorities address our demands,” the nurses told Telangana Today.

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