As the nurses strike enters its fourth day, the Health Ministry maintains that essential services continue to be sustained at Divisional and sub-divisional hospitals throughout the country.

The ministry says a total of 205 registered nurses worked at the hospitals yesterday and it is understood that six striking staff nurses returned to CWM hospital yesterday and one to the Wainibokasi hospital.

At CWM hospital, a total of 180 patients were admitted in the wards during the day and 5 deliveries were carried out including two caesarians. Three surgical operations were carried out.

Only one midwife was working in the Nausori Maternity Unit while Navua is now coping well with all the 4 nursing station in Navua open.

Vunidawa nurses have been rostered on the normal 8 hour shifts while nurses in other hospitals operate on the 12 hour shifts.

The Western health services have generally coped with the strike during the day. Ba, Nadi and Rakiraki hospitals are now rostered on normal 8 hour shifts. The Health Ministry says the Northern health services were normal with majority of the nurses at their stations.

Meanwhile Fiji Nursing Association General Secretary, Kuini Lutua is expected to comment later today.