In Pune, as more than 30,000 contractual staff and officers under the National Health Mission (NHM) continue their indefinite strike, which has now stretched into its 23rd day the striking employees have been holding demonstrations at the Aundh District Hospital, pressing the state government to act on its promises. Healthcare services across Maharashtra remain paralyzed . In Pune alone, nearly 1,400 NHM workers both technical and non-technical have joined the agitation.
The protest, launched on August 19, 2025, is being led by the NHM Coordination Committee and revolves around 18 major demands, the foremost being the implementation of a government resolution on the regularisation and salary revision of long-serving contract workers.
The employees’ anger traces back to a Government Resolution (GR) issued on March 14, 2024, in Aurangabad, which directed that 30% of vacant NHM posts be made permanent for those who have been working on contract for more than 10 years. Workers allege that despite the official order, no steps have been taken in the 18 months since.
Officials point out that nearly half of Maharashtra’s health workforce is employed on a contractual basis, highlighting the indispensable role they play in sustaining services in both urban and rural government hospitals.
The ongoing strike has caused severe disruption to routine medical care, leaving patients in many state-run facilities struggling with long waits and limited services.
Adding to the crisis, the government recently terminated 25 NHM staffers, prompting widespread anger. In response, around 14,678 NHM employees across the state have submitted resignations while continuing their indefinite protest, insisting on the implementation of their 10-point charter of demands, especially the regularisation of services.
