Various surgeries at the National Institute of Mental Health and Neurosciences (Nimhans) had to be postponed after a group of nurses went on a snap strike.

A group of nurses staged a protest on Monday until the first half of Tuesday refusing to attend to a few cases including surgeries, over staff shortage among nurses.

A senior employee, who did not wish to be named, said that the Nimhans has a waiting list of one year for surgeries and the protest has led to patients' suffering when some of the surgeries had to be postponed.

"Around 75 nurses walked out on Monday saying they cannot work," said Dr B N Gangadhar, director of Nimhans.

He added that the institute has already asked for around 200 nurses in addition to around 500 nurses it has.

"The ministry has already sanctioned the request, but we are waiting for the formal order," said Dr Gangadhar.

He said the strike was called without any warning and that put patients in a quandary. It started as we decided to start a new facility which would require around 150 nurses.

According to Jesna, head nurse in Nimhans, the strike was called off by Tuesday noon as the administration assured them of considering their demands.

Dr Gangadhar said the institute also has a shortage of doctors and other staff. This does not mean that we can stop working. There are hundreds of people who approach the institute for help, how is it fair to stop providing services to them? he asked.

"We are not able to take care of individual cases due to less number of nurses. We have been approaching the authorities for the past two years. But we are calling off the strike today (Tuesday) as they said that our demands will be considered," said Jesna.

She said that they had talked with Nimhans registrar Dr K Shekhar.

"He has agreed to their demands," the head nurse said.

DH News Service