Nursing staff of the Government Medical College Hospital here staged protests inside the hospital, demanding that the government revoke an order for the redeployment of nursing staff from new medical college hospitals to other institutions.

G.O. 204 ordered the redeployment of 20 staff nurses from Krishnagiri Government Medical College Hospital to Government Mohan Kumaramangalam Medical College Hospital, Salem.

Similarly, a bunch of nursing staff are being redeployed from smaller new medical college hospitals to large medical college hospitals.

The protesters, who wore black badges, also demanded dismantling of contractual jobs and regularise all nursing staff currently under contractual employment.

The protesters also demanded that the term staff nurse be replaced with Nursing Officer and a G.O. be released describing the job description.

The Federation of Obstetrics and Gynaecologists Societies of India (FOGSCI) here on Friday (August 7) held a walkathon here to spread awareness on the importance of ensuring the safety of healthcare professionals.

The walkathon was to mark Abhaya Day, which was instituted after the murder of a doctor at R.G. Kar Medical College Hospital in Kolkata in 2024.

The walkathon saw doctors and nurses carrying placards with slogans against gendered violence and the need for the protection of medical staff.

The Kolkata incident galvanised the medical staff across the country, who demanded a legislation for the protection of the medical fraternity in hospitals that were witnessing violence against health care workers.