Pune: 21-Day NHM Strike Hits Healthcare Services Across Maharashtra
Aundh, 9th September 2025: More than 30,000 contract employees and officers of the National Health Mission (NHM) across Maharashtra, including 1,400 in Pune, have been on an indefinite strike for the past 21 days.
The strike, initiated on 19 August 2025 by the NHM Coordination Committee, is driven by 18 demands, the most prominent being the implementation of the government’s decision on adjustment and salary hikes for contract staff.
In Pune, striking employees staged demonstrations at the Aundh District Hospital, demanding that the state government honor its commitments. Participants include both technical and non-technical staff, with estimates suggesting 25,000–30,000 employees statewide and 1,500 in Pune are currently on strike.
The dispute stems from a Government Resolution (GR) issued on 14 March 2024 by the Aurangabad bench, which directed that 30% of vacant NHM posts be made permanent for employees who have served for over 10 years. Despite the order, implementation has been delayed for 18 months.
NHM officials note that 50% of the workforce in the health department currently works on a contractual basis, highlighting the scale of the staffing challenge and the critical role of contract employees in public healthcare.
The strike has raised concerns over disruptions in healthcare services, particularly in rural and urban hospitals, as contract employees form a significant portion of the health workforce.
