KOZHIKODE, March 9, 2026 — Healthcare services in several private hospitals across Kerala faced significant disruption on Monday as thousands of private‑sector nurses launched widespread protests demanding better wages, regulated working hours, and improved staffing norms. Major demonstrations were reported in Kozhikode and Kannur, where nurses marched in large numbers, drawing public attention to long‑standing grievances within the state’s private healthcare sector.
The strike, organised by multiple nursing unions, entered a more aggressive phase today after talks with hospital management associations failed to produce a breakthrough. Protesters accused private hospitals of ignoring repeated appeals for fair compensation and humane working conditions, despite rising workloads and increasing patient inflow.
Union representatives said that many nurses in private hospitals continue to receive salaries far below industry standards, with some reportedly earning less than entry‑level wages recommended by state labour guidelines. “We are not asking for anything extraordinary. We are asking for dignity, safety, and wages that reflect the critical work we do,” said a union leader in Kozhikode, addressing a gathering of striking nurses outside a major multispecialty hospital.
In Kannur, hundreds of nurses staged a sit‑in protest near the district hospital junction, holding placards and chanting slogans calling for immediate government intervention. Traffic movement in parts of the city slowed as the demonstration grew through the afternoon.
Hospital managements, however, expressed concern over the impact of the strike on patient care. Several private facilities reported delays in routine services, reduced outpatient operations, and rescheduled elective procedures. Emergency departments continued to function, but administrators admitted that staffing shortages were placing additional strain on available personnel.
The Kerala Government has urged both sides to return to negotiations, emphasising the need to protect patient welfare while acknowledging the legitimacy of the nurses’ demands. Health department officials indicated that a fresh round of talks may be convened later this week.
For now, the strike has highlighted the widening gap between the state’s celebrated healthcare reputation and the working conditions of those who sustain it. With no immediate resolution in sight, patients and hospital administrators alike are bracing for continued disruptions in the days ahead.