Health services in several government-run hospitals continued to be affected today as more than 2,000 staff nurses, appointed under the National Health Mission (NHM), went on with their cease work agitation for the third day.

The nurses have been demanding regularisation of their service. While many nurses were protesting in front of the hospitals in the districts, their state-level body has been staging agitation in the state capital. "The nature of our work is no less than the regular nurses. Most of us are specially trained to deal with Sick Newborn Care Units and Intensive Care Units (ICU). However, our serice is not a regular oner," said Kamalini Sahoo, a nurse who is part of the agitation. Different emergency wards for thalassemia and cancer patients have been closed due to staff shortage at the Capital Hospital here. Similar situation prevailed at other hospitals in the districts including the government hospital in Rourkela. 

Odisha Nursing Employees Association general secretary Pravat Mohanty said: "We will have a discussion with the health minister about our demands tomorrow. If the government doesn't agree with our demands, the rest of the regular nurses will also join the strike from Thursday." Health and Family Welfare Minister Pratap Kumar Jena said the government will regularise their services. But it requires some time as the department need permission from general administration and finance department. NHM nurses said they get remuneration of Rs 10,700 a month while regular government staff nurses get between Rs 30,000 and Rs 50,000 including dearness, house rent and uniform allowances.