Bhubaneswar: The Odisha Nursing Employees Association (ONEA) will proceed with its cease-work agitation starting September 27, as talks with the state government remain inconclusive. Nursing staff will provide emergency services until September 26, 2024, after which they will join the strike. ONEA informed the media following today’s meeting.
The nurses’ body also reached out to the Chief Minister and Health Minister to discuss their issues. A crucial meeting was held at Lok Seva Bhavan regarding the nurse agitation, attended by Health Secretary Aswathy S, ONEA representatives, and the Health Director. Discussions centred on the nursing staff’s demands, but the government’s refusal to accept them led to the decision to continue the strike.
Notably, the Odisha Nursing Staff Union has called for a state-wide strike, with nursing staff joining the protest without disrupting emergency patient care. However, the state government has warned against the strike, citing the Enforcement of Essential Services Maintenance Act (ESMA) effective since August. State Nursing Director Dr. Artabandhu Nayak has instructed chiefs of state-run hospitals to take necessary measures.
