Nurse on hunger strike admitted to ICU as health worsens

Nurse Jyoti Ranabhat's health has taken a serious turn, leading to her admission to the intensive care unit after six days of an indefinite hunger strike. She is demanding significant policy reforms to improve working conditions, pay, and professional security for nursing and midwifery staff. Supporters report she tested positive for ketones and exhibits low blood pressure and a slight decline in consciousness, highlighting the government's perceived lack of seriousness towards her demands.

Ranabhat's extensive list of 15 demands includes legal provisions for minimum remuneration and benefits based on qualifications, the creation of adequate positions with scientifically determined nurse-to-patient ratios, and the establishment of specialist roles. She also seeks amendments to existing laws to end discriminatory provisions and eliminate long-term contract employment for nursing and midwifery personnel.

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Her health condition is serious, but the government is still not serious towards her demands.

Discussions with the Ministry of Health and Food Safety have so far yielded no concrete plans, with officials citing the need for further consultation. While another round of talks is possible, uncertainty looms over a positive outcome. Meanwhile, the protest has inspired a similar action, with an MBBS student beginning a hunger strike to demand equal internship stipends for medical students in private colleges, arguing current payments are unjust.

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Private medical colleges provide only Rs 10,000 a month as an internship stipend to MBBS students, which is unjust and contrary to the recommendations of the government-formed task force.