Just a day after the doctors at Bir Hospital withdrew their protests, ending the protracted  dispute that has caused essential services at the nation's oldest and biggest hospital to be halted for four days, nurses across the country have gone on an indefinite strike from Wednesday.

As part of their protest programme, the Nepal Nursing Union (NNU) today halted all essential services except emergency ones in the government hospitals and health posts all over the country.

The nursing union said it was forced to resort to this drastic measure as the Health Ministry did not fulfill their demands as per the agreements made in the past.

NNU's demands include increase in monthly salary and more facilities for nurses, better working environment and amendment of nursing policy, among others. nepalnews.com