Chennai, Dec 24 (NationPress) The Tamil Nadu government has initiated the process of phased regularization for contract nurses, beginning with the integration of over 1,000 nurses into permanent roles at the initial stage. This decision led to the protesting nurses calling off their strike.

Chief Minister M K Stalin directed this decision after extensive discussions with nursing associations, as stated by Health and Family Welfare Minister Ma Subramanian on Wednesday.

Contract nurses, who were hired through the Medical Services Recruitment Board, had been protesting across the State for permanent appointments and enhanced working conditions.

Following the Chief Minister’s guidance, the Health Minister engaged in several discussions with the nurses' representatives on December 19, 22, and finally on December 24, where he presented their demands to the Chief Minister.

After the most recent discussions, the State government resolved to address long-standing promotions and create additional posts to aid in the regularization of current contract nurses.

As an immediate measure, more than 1,000 nurses will soon transition to regular positions, while the remaining contract nurses will be phased into permanent roles, according to the Minister.

Minister Subramanian emphasized that under the previous AIADMK regime, only 1,871 out of 6,395 contract nurses appointed in 2015 were regularized by 2020.

In stark contrast, since the DMK government took office in 2021, 4,825 contract nurses have been regularized over the last four-and-a-half years.

In 2024 alone, 1,693 nurses achieved regular status. The Minister also highlighted various welfare and career advancement measures introduced for nurses in recent years.

Over the last four years, 1,998 nurses have advanced to Nursing Supervisor Grade II, 465 to Nursing Supervisor Grade I, and 62 to Nursing Tutor Grade II, enhancing the supervisory and educational framework within the public health sector.

Additionally, the government plans to extend paid maternity leave to contract nurses, aligning with the Central Maternity Benefit Act of 1961, through the National Health Mission.

A government order regarding this is anticipated soon. Efforts are also underway to issue appointment letters to nurses hired during the COVID-19 pandemic and resolve outstanding issues about the raised monthly salary for contract nurses, which increased from Rs 14,000 to Rs 18,000 in May 2021.

With the government committing to the regularization of over 1,000 nurses in phases, the contract nurses have officially called off their strike, as stated by the Health Minister, concluding the agitation.