Nurses at the Mahatma Gandhi Memorial Government Hospital (MGMGH) in Trichy held a significant demonstration on Saturday, voicing their frustration over severe systemic issues plaguing the healthcare workforce. The protest, organized by the Tamil Nadu Nurses Development Association, brought to the forefront long-standing grievances related to understaffing, excessive workload, and unfulfilled service-related promises from the state government.
Core Demands: From Job Security to Pay Parity
The protesting healthcare professionals presented a comprehensive list of demands aimed at securing their professional and financial future. A primary issue was the regularisation of contract nurses as permanent employees, a pledge reportedly made in the state government's election manifesto that remains unfulfilled. They argued that job security is essential for maintaining a stable and experienced nursing workforce.
Further demands focused on career progression and fair compensation. The nurses sought the reinstatement of nurse supervisor grade-III posts and called for the re-engagement of nurses who served on the frontlines during the Covid-19 pandemic but were later dismissed. They also demanded salary increments for those who have pursued graduate and postgraduate degrees, alongside a proper pay fixation scheme for promotions received at 7, 14, 20, and 25 years of service.
Systemic Reforms and Welfare Measures
The association's charter extended beyond individual benefits to advocate for broader systemic improvements. One key proposal was the establishment of nursing colleges in all government medical colleges across Tamil Nadu, which would help address the root cause of staff shortages by boosting local training capacity.
Welfare measures for contract staff were also highlighted. These included demands for paid maternity leave for contract nurses appointed through the Medical Recruitment Board, and the payment of ₹18,000 with arrears to those nurses whose salaries are processed through the treasury. Additionally, the protesters emphasized the need to create permanent posts for nurses and nurse supervisors in primary health centres to strengthen rural healthcare infrastructure.
The Underlying Crisis: Workload and Burnout
Beyond the specific demands, the agitation underscored a deepening crisis of excessive workload and burnout caused by acute staff shortages. The nurses described a daily reality where the existing workforce is stretched thin, compromising both their well-being and the quality of patient care. The protest at MGMGH serves as a stark reminder of the human resource challenges within the public health system, urging the administration to move from promises to actionable solutions to retain a skilled nursing workforce.
