Private Hospital Services Hit as Nurses’ Statewide Strike Continues in Kerala

Healthcare services across several private hospitals in Kerala have been disrupted as nurses continue their indefinite statewide strike demanding better pay and working conditions . The agitation, led by the United Nurses Association (UNA), began earlier this week and has affected patient care in multiple hospitals that have not yet agreed to the nurses’ demands.

The nurses are primarily demanding a minimum basic salary of ₹40,000 per month in private hospitals. Union leaders argue that many nurses in the sector currently earn between ₹8,000 and ₹20,000 a month , despite handling heavy workloads, long shifts and critical patient care responsibilities. According to the association, the demand aims to ensure fair wages and better dignity for the nursing profession , which forms the backbone of hospital care.

Due to the strike, several hospitals have been functioning with limited staff, making it difficult for doctors to deliver routine and emergency care. Some doctors have said that the absence of nurses has severely affected treatment and patient monitoring , particularly for bedridden and critically ill patients who require continuous support.

The Kerala Private Hospitals Association (KPHA) has strongly criticised the protest, claiming the strike was illegal because it was launched without prior notice . Hospital management also alleged that in some cases, nurses who were willing to work were being obstructed, further worsening the situation.

Hospital authorities warned that if the disruption continues, government medical colleges and public hospitals may struggle to handle the rising number of patients shifting from private facilities .

However, the nurses’ union says the protest has already yielded results. In a social media post, UNA president Jasminsha said that 422 hospitals have agreed to the ₹40,000 salary demand , while 14 more hospitals are expected to sign the agreement soon . The strike has already been called off in hospitals that accepted the new pay structure .

He also noted that some hospital managements had approached the Kerala High Court seeking to invoke the Essential Services Maintenance Act (ESMA) to curb the strike, but their attempt did not succeed.

With both sides holding firm, the dispute continues, leaving patients caught in the middle of the standoff while negotiations are expected to continue in the coming days.