Defying ESMA Nurses Start 2-Day Agitation in Odisha

Bhubaneswar: Nursing staff of all state-run hospitals and healthcare centers across Odisha defied the imposed Emergency Services (Maintenance) Act (ESMA) as well as action against them to start their two-day agitation on Wednesday for a list of 10 demands.

They have started their agitation under the banner of Odisha Nursing Employees’ Association (ONEA). The agitating nurses have threatened to take up a complete cease work agitation from September 27 if the government fails to fulfill their demands.

As part of their agitation, the nurses are not attending to the emergency department, ICU and OT out of the purview of their strike.

The agitating nurses have kept the emergency department, ICU and OT out of the purview of their strike.

Dr Artabandhu Nayak, Director of Nursing, said, stringent action will be taken against the nursing staff joining the cease work stir as the ESMA is effective for six months from August 6 and no employee is permitted to strike.

Odisha Health Minister Mukesh Mahaling, however, hoped that through discussions, the issue would be solved amicably. He informed that the nursing association has been invited for a discussion. Mahaling was of the opinion that the discussions will bring positive results and there will be no disruption in healthcare services.