PSG Institute of Medical Sciences and Research nurses, who are on strike for the last few days, staged a demonstration in Gandhipuram here on Tuesday. According to the Kovai PSG Maruthuvamanai Seviliyar Nalasangam (PSG hospital nursers' association), more than 300 staff and trade union representatives participated in the demonstration held to demand higher monthly wages, introduction of shift system, and return of original certificates among others.
Representatives of the association said that the hospital management had asked them to vacate the hostel by 9 p.m. on Tuesday and they have sought the District Collector's help.
The hospital management said that it was taking all possible steps to ensure the smooth running of the hospital. Medical Director Vimal Kumar Govindan said senior nurses were working round-the-clock to ensure total patient care.
A private hospital has sent a few of its nurses to the hospital to make up for the shortfall, he said and added that the striking nurses prevented the nurses from others hospital from performing their duty. They blocked the vehicles that transported them.
In addition to that the 15 new nurses have joined duty. The striking nurses also attempted to intimidate them but the management went to the new recruits' rescue and enabled them to work.
Though the hospital does not have the required nursing staff strength, with the available number it was managing emergency care and outpatient services.
The nurses' strike has come in for criticism. L.P. Thangavelu, vice-president, Tamilnadu Private Professional Colleges' Association – Health Sciences, has said in a statement that the sudden strike by nurses was unethical and unbecoming of them in the noble nursing profession.
The nurses should have their grievances redressed through negotiations, he said.
