Nursing Officers Demand Administrative Reforms, Better Working Conditions, and Basic Welfare Amenities
The nursing staff of the Employees’ State Insurance Corporation (ESIC) Medical College and Hospital, Sanathnagar, Telangana, has served a 14-day strike notice to the Director General of ESIC, alleging administrative harassment, denial of welfare amenities, and deteriorating working conditions.
The Telangana ESIC Nursing Officers Union warned that if their demands remain unaddressed within the stipulated period, nursing personnel will launch phased protests, culminating in an indefinite strike.
Union Alleges Administrative Harassment and Intimidation
According to the memorandum submitted through the Dean of ESIC Medical College, the union claimed that repeated representations regarding service conditions, workplace grievances, and staff welfare have failed to receive any meaningful response from the administration.
The union alleged that nursing personnel have lost confidence in the existing nursing administration, accusing certain senior officials of intimidating employees, taking arbitrary administrative decisions, and interfering with legitimate trade union activities.
It further claimed that dozens of Assistant Nursing Superintendents and senior nursing officers were issued official memoranda and repeatedly asked to provide explanations over what the union described as trivial matters.
Demand for Inquiry into Breath Analyser Incident
The union also raised concerns over an incident in which a nursing officer was allegedly subjected to a breath analyser test without prior permission or proper authorization.
Calling the incident unacceptable, the union has demanded an impartial inquiry to determine whether established procedures were followed and to fix accountability if any violations are found.
Nurses Highlight Lack of Basic Amenities
Apart from administrative issues, the nursing staff highlighted several deficiencies affecting both healthcare workers and patients.
The union alleged shortages of medical and surgical equipment, inadequate drinking water supply, and insufficient washroom facilities for patients. It also demanded improved welfare infrastructure for nurses, including dedicated lounges, rest rooms, changing rooms, and clean sanitation facilities.
Additionally, the union sought restoration of the nursing administrative hierarchy, withdrawal of the memoranda issued to nursing staff, transfer of the officials accused of harassment, and early settlement of pending promotions and allowances.
Phased Agitation Planned if Demands Are Ignored
Speaking on behalf of the Telangana ESIC Nursing Officers Union, General Secretary K. Prakash Babu stated that the union expects a satisfactory written response from the ESIC administration within 14 days.
If no resolution is received, the union plans to initiate phased protest programmes, including wearing black badges, demonstrations, mass casual leave, and eventually an indefinite strike.
The proposed agitation could impact healthcare services at the ESIC Medical College and Hospital in Sanathnagar if negotiations between the nursing staff and the administration fail to resolve the ongoing dispute.
