India, July 23 -- In the midst of a statewide indefinite strike by over 45,000 government nurses, the Maharashtra State Nurses Association (MSNA) has deployed 10-member emergency squads across its 47 branches to ensure that critical surgeries are not affected. Each squad operates in two 12-hour shifts , from 8 am to 8 pm and vice-versa, providing vital support to government hospitals struggling with a shortage of trained nursing staff.

The strike, which began last Thursday, is in response to the state government's June 6 decision to recruit nurses on a contractual basis. Demanding a halt to contractual appointments, MSNA is pressing for filling of vacant posts (which currently stand at nearly 50% of sanctioned positions), and increased a...