NIMS nursing officers locked within hospital premises during rally, union flags long-pending demands

Nursing officers at the Nizam’s Institute of Medical Sciences (NIMS), Hyderabad were briefly prevented from moving within the campus on Monday (December 15, 2025) after hospital authorities directed security personnel to the gates when a small, silent rally was attempted as part of an ongoing protest, the NIMS Nursing Union said.

Speaking to The Hindu, NIMS Nursing Union General Secretary Krishna said the staff had been observing a peaceful black badge protest for the past one week to draw attention to unresolved issues related to service and welfare. As part of the protest, the union had planned a short rally, entirely within the hospital premises.

“We were not stepping out of the hospital. Despite this, the Director and Medical Superintendent instructed security guards to lock the gates and prevent us from moving,” he said. According to the union, nurses were locked near the billing section for a brief period.

The situation eased after hospital administrators called union leaders for discussions. “Some representatives were asked to come in for negotiations. During the talks, the management told us that the issues would have to be taken up with the Health Minister and that an appointment would be arranged,” Mr. Krishna said.

He added that keeping patient care in view, the union subsequently asked all nursing staff to return to duty. “At no point did we want patient services to be affected,” he said, adding that the union is now awaiting a formal appointment to present its demands to the Health Minister.

The union said the protest was aimed at bringing renewed attention to concerns over increasing workload, restoration of medical services to the parents of contract nursing officers, filling of vacant posts, encashment of earned leave, cadre review, and appropriate status and pay for lecturers at NIMS Nursing College and their spouses, in line with AIIMS scales.

Unresolved issues include service benefits, promotions, staffing requirements and the provision of basic welfare facilities for nursing staff. It reiterated its demand for the implementation of earned leave encashment as approved by the NIMS Executive Board, along with the enhanced gratuity amount of ₹16,00,000 notified in G.O. Ms. No.56 of June 2021.

The union also sought the granting of three-months maternity leave to female employees as mandated under G.O. Ms. No.209 issued in November 2016, stating that several of these provisions remain unimplemented despite repeated representations.