Nursing Staff in Jaipur Protests Against Suspensions with Two-Hour Strike
Major Strike Announced in Jaipur
In Jaipur, nursing staff across all public and private hospitals staged a two-hour work stoppage. This protest was initiated in response to the suspension of several nursing personnel following the SMS Hospital trauma center fire incident.
Background of the Incident
In October 2025, a severe fire broke out in the ICU of the trauma center at Sawai Man Singh (SMS) Hospital due to a short circuit, resulting in the tragic deaths of six patients. An investigation revealed staff negligence, with some nursing staff accused of abandoning their duties instead of attempting to save patients. Based on this report, the administration suspended four nursing staff members, including the nursing supervisor and charge nurse.
Allegations from Nursing Association
The nursing association and staff have claimed that the actions taken were one-sided and unjust. They argue that the lack of safety equipment, malfunctioning fire alarms, and administrative negligence were the primary causes of the incident, yet only the nursing staff are being held accountable.
Today's Protest
On March 6, 2026, nurses at major hospitals in Jaipur, including SMS Medical College and the trauma center, participated in a two-hour collective work stoppage. The protesting nurses gathered at the SMS Medical College campus, chanting slogans and staging a sit-in outside the principal's office. Their key demands include:
- Immediate reinstatement of the suspended nursing staff
- Fair investigation and action against all responsible departments (including engineering and administration)
- Improved fire safety equipment and training in hospitals
A representative from the nursing union stated, "We are committed to serving patients, but we cannot remain silent when injustice occurs. This protest is a demand for justice, not an obstruction to service."
Response from Administration
So far, there has been no official statement from the health department or the government. However, sources indicate that discussions are ongoing to restore normalcy. The work stoppage was timed to minimize impact on emergency services.