Tamil Nadu Nurses Rally in Dindigul: Withdraw G.O. 204, Regularise Services
DINDIGUL: Nurses from the Tamil Nadu Government Nurses Association held a protest in front of the Dindigul Government Medical College Hospital on Thursday, urging the State government to accept their demands related to service conditions and career progression.
The key demand was the withdrawal of G.O. 204, a government order that pertains to downsizing staff strength and redeployment of nursing personnel. The association has maintained that the order, if implemented, would disrupt hospital functioning and increase the workload on existing staff, ultimately compromising patient safety.
A long-standing demand for the abolition of the consolidated pay system was also reiterated. Nurses working on consolidated pay receive significantly lower remuneration than regular employees, without benefits such as dearness allowance, increments, or pension. The association pressed for the regularisation of all such services.
The nurses also called for a Government Order to redesignate their role from 'Nurse' to 'Nursing Officer'. They argued that the new designation would be in line with their educational qualifications and responsibilities. Many nurses hold B.Sc. or M.Sc. degrees in nursing, and the title 'Nursing Officer' is already used in several other States.
The protest was peaceful. The nurses said they were wearing black badges as a mark of protest, but they took care to ensure that patient care and hospital operations continued uninterrupted. A memorandum was submitted to the hospital authorities.
The Tamil Nadu Government Nurses Association has been raising these issues for years. The reliance on consolidated-pay appointments has grown over time, leading to a two-tier system among nursing staff. The association has argued that regularisation would reduce attrition and improve the quality of care in public health facilities.
G.O. 204 was introduced as an administrative measure to rationalise staff strength across government hospitals. However, the association fears that the redeployment of staff could create shortages in critical departments such as emergency and intensive care, particularly in district hospitals like Dindigul.
The demand for redesignation to 'Nursing Officer' is aimed at giving nurses the professional recognition they seek. In recent years, several States have adopted this designation to reflect the expanded role of nurses in healthcare delivery.
Thursday's protest was part of a wider campaign. Similar demonstrations have been held in other districts across Tamil Nadu. The association has warned of intensified agitation if the government does not respond positively.
There was no immediate response from the State health department to the demands. The nurses, however, have expressed willingness to engage in dialogue while continuing their protest.
Patients and relatives at the hospital expressed support for the nurses. One relative, who did not wish to be named, said nurses work hard under difficult conditions and deserve fair pay and better recognition.
The protest concluded peacefully, with the nurses resuming their duties after handing over the memorandum.
The agitation highlights broader concerns within the public healthcare system, including staff shortages and inadequate working conditions. Nurses are often required to work long hours, and their demands reflect an ongoing push for better rights and institutional support.
The association's leaders said they would continue to press the government through peaceful means. They also called on the public to understand the importance of nursing staff in the healthcare system.
The Dindigul protest coincided with similar demonstrations reported from other parts of the State, indicating a coordinated campaign by the nurses' union.
