Hospitals will function smoothly, says Kerala Private Hospitals Association

KOZHIKODE: All the private hospitals in the state will function smoothly in spite of the threat of the nurses to go on strike from July 17, according to the Kerala Private Hospitals Association (KPHA). The KPHA members said that the hospitals cannot be closed at a time when the state has been battling epidemics like dengue. Dr Azad Moopen, chairman of MIMS hospital here, told reporters, “we will take the help of our other staff, paramedical students and also doctors to face the situation. The strike by the nurses’ union is unwarranted as the government had revised their salaries by 60 percent. Their demand is beyond the capacity of private hospitals,” he said.

Based on a writ petition filed by the Association of Healthcare Providers (India) Kerala chapter, the High Court has restrained the nursing unions from going on strike from July 17. “This order will enable all hospitals to tackle the epidemics in the state,” said Dr K.G. Alexander, BMH chairman. The government must intervene in the issue and convince the nurses unions to call off the strike, he added.