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Nurses Strike Cripples Pune Hospital: Surgeries Halted
23 Apr
Summary
- Over 600 nurses at Sassoon General Hospital joined a strike.
- New admissions and planned surgeries were significantly impacted.
- Nursing college students are assisting to manage patient load.
The strike by government employees, including nurses, has entered its second day, significantly impacting Sassoon General Hospital (SGH) in Pune. Over half of the hospital's nursing staff, totaling more than 600 out of 900, are participating in the protest, which aims to address long-pending demands like the implementation of the Old Pension Scheme and an increase in retirement age.
The ongoing industrial action has led to a substantial reduction in both major and minor surgeries, as well as deliveries, at the state-run facility. While outpatient and inpatient numbers remain relatively stable, the number of surgeries performed has decreased considerably. For instance, the number of deliveries dropped by half.
In response to the shortfall, Sassoon General Hospital has recruited nursing college students to assist with patient care. Despite these measures, the district's largest tertiary care hospital is experiencing severe disruptions in admitting new patients. Meanwhile, other local hospitals like Yashwantrao Chavan Memorial Hospital and Aundh District Hospital reported minimal impact on their services.
