Nagpur/Yavatmal: As the indefinite strike by govt nurses entered its third day on Saturday, critical healthcare services across Maharashtra remained in turmoil. In major urban hospitals like Government Medical College and Hospital (GMCH) and Mayo in Nagpur, as well as rural districts such as Yavatmal and Akola, the absence of nursing staff caused widespread disruption, delaying surgeries and forcing relatives to step in for basic patient care.On Saturday, the strike also witnessed a new twist as GMCH authorities issued a circular — based on a DMER directive — warning that newly recruited probationary nurses participating in the strike could face ‘break in service’ under Rule 43(2) of the Maharashtra Civil Services Rules, 1994. The move created panic among probationers, but state-level leaders of the nurses’ union, including president Manisha Shinde and general secretary Sumitra Tote, swiftly assured all members that legal protection would be provided and no employee would be left behind.“This is not just about pay. It’s a battle for respect, security, and the future of every nurse. We will not back down,” said Shinde, addressing protesting nurses at GMCH.Rural healthcare too feels the pinch in Yavatmal Meanwhile, in Yavatmal district, nursing services in govt hospitals have also come to a halt, further straining rural healthcare delivery. Nurses working as seniors, public health nurses, and instructors are actively participating in the strike. “The govt must listen. Patients are suffering, yes, but we’ve been suffering silently for years,” said Suresh Madankar, a senior nurse and union representative in Yavatmal. “This strike is our last resort,” he added.To manage the crisis, authorities in Nagpur have deployed around 70 nursing students and 40 temporary aides, but their efforts are insufficient given the scale of the disruption. The association maintains that services will not resume unless their core demands — including salary parity under the 7th Pay Commission — are accepted.What Next?As the standoff continues with no fresh dialogue from the govt, the strike threatens to deepen the healthcare crisis across Maharashtra. With both urban and rural hospitals under pressure, the onus now lies on the state authorities to open negotiations and prevent further collapse of essential services.
