India, July 2 -- The Delhi government's health department has ordered the extension of services of around 1,000 contractual nurses whose contract was set to expire on June 30, according to officials aware of the matter.

While a formal government direction is yet to be issued, the officials said that the health department sent an email on Monday (June 30) to all hospital administrators, directing them to retain all the nursing officers.

"The issue of the extension of the contractual nursing officer is under submission," the mail, accessed by Hindustan Times, states.

The directive marks a significant turnaround after days of anxiety and threats of protest by the contractual nursing staff. Earlier this month, hundreds of contractual nurse...