Imphal, August 26: The cease work strike launched by the Trained Nurses Association of India, Manipur branch was called off late this evening and the nurses have agreed to return to their work from tomorrow.

An agreement to this effect came after the RIMS authority assured to fulfil the demands of the nurses during the talk between the representatives of the TNAI RIMS unit and RIMS authority held today at RIMS guest house from 2 pm to 5 pm.

The main points of the agreement include promotion of nursing staff within a month in accordance with the rules of the Union Health Ministry, regularisation of the 153 contract nurses at the earliest after studying relevant terms and conditions and establishment of a nursing college in RIMS, informed TNAI RIMS unit president W Sorodhoni.

Concerning the demand for creation of nursing post as per the norms of the Indian Nursing Council, the RIMS authority maintained that the same demand has been forwarded to the Ministry of Health.

Earlier before the agreement was worked out many patients were forced to turn to far more expensive private clinics.

Moreover, all surgical operations and deliveries were put on hold thereby posing serious threat to the lives of the patients.

Even as some nurses from private nursing institutes have been hired, many patients have been referred to private hospitals while many others have been discharged due to the then prevailing conditions.

Information received from the RIMS registration counter revealed that the number of OPD patients have also been dramatically reduced in the last two days.

Contrary to about 150 patients on average who come to RIMS during 12 noon to 4 pm everyday, only 20 patients came to RIMS today.

Even then, the few patients who came to RIMS today were also advised to go to other hospitals if their cases are complicated.

Citing lack of nursing staff, doctors have referred five pregnant women to other hospitals today although they were already admitted in RIMS for delivery.

This was above the many pregnant women referred to private clinics yesterday.

A pregnant woman from Kakching is still staying at RIMS even though she has been referred to other hospitals for she is not in a position to afford the huge fees of private clinics.

One patient who has been reportedly referred to other hospitals lamented, "It's gross injustice on the part of the nurses to victimise the poor patients in the pursuit of their demands".

Another patient fumed, "The nurses just cannot take the patients hostage for their few demands.

Their act is too insensitive.

There must be certainly more sensitive and responsible means to press their demands".

He also denounced the alleged incompetence of the RIMS authority.

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