The Kerala High Court has directed the state government and the state police chief to take effective measures to ensure that the functioning of the hospitals belonging to the petitioner association is not hindered or disrupted in any way due to the nurses’ agitation seeking higher pay.
In view of the seriousness of the situation and the potential impact on patients’ right to timely medical care, it is necessary to ensure that free and unrestricted access to hospitals is maintained at all times and that no blockade, intimidation or interference of any nature is permitted in or near the hospital premises.
The government and others concerned must also ensure that nurses and other staff willing to perform their duties are able to do so without any threat, coercion, obstruction or interference from the agitating union, Bench of Justice Mohammed Nias CP said on Tuesday.
The court was hearing a plea by the Kerala Private Hospitals Association, which said the functioning of hospitals across the state, including emergency and intensive care services, had been adversely affected by the agitation.
The association asked the relevant authorities for a directive to take appropriate action under ESMA, 1968 and KESMA, 1994 to declare hospital services as an essential service and take necessary steps in public interest to ensure that “strikes and disruptive activities” affecting hospital services are prohibited.
Published – 10 March 2026 21:06 IST
