Kerala’s private healthcare sector is reeling from the protracted nurses’ strike, now entering its [Xth week/month—update as needed], with services grinding to a halt in facilities across the state—including key Kozhikode hospitals like Malabar Institute of Medical Sciences (MIMS) and EMK Hospital. Frontline warriors demand fair wages and better conditions, but the standoff leaves patients caught in the crossfire.
Triggered by disputes over salary revisions and workload burdens post-COVID, the Kerala Private Nurses Union (KPNLU) has mobilized thousands. Over 70% of private hospitals report severe staffing shortages, leading to canceled surgeries, delayed treatments, and emergency diversions. In Kozhikode alone, daily outpatient footfall has dropped 40%, per hospital sources, forcing many to seek public facilities already stretched thin.
Union leaders cite stagnant pay—averaging ₹25,000-35,000 monthly despite 12-hour shifts—versus rising living costs. Hospital associations counter with financial strain from insurance delays and inflation. Government mediation efforts hit a snag last week, with no resolution in sight as of March 11, 2026.
Impact Breakdown
- Patient care: Non-critical services suspended; emergencies triaged.
- Economy: Hospitals lose ₹ crores daily; jobs at risk if prolonged.
- Public options: Government hospitals like Government Medical College Kozhikode overwhelmed.