The Ministry of Health is calling on various organisations and volunteers to come forward and assist as the Fiji Nursing Association's strike enters its second day.

In a statement, the Ministry is requesting retired nurses, NGO's, Religious and Womens' groups to lend a hand in this time of crisis.

However, the Ministry confirms that after assessing the situation after day one of the strike, all essential services in the divisional health centers and emergency services in sub divisional hospitals are operating well.

The latest reports show that 65 nurses at the CWM Hospital, 43 at Lautoka, 45 in Labasa hospital are not on strike and a total of 578 patients were attended to at the three centers without any problems.

However the Ministry advises that all special out patients services, booked cases for surgery and special procedures are suspended at the CWM, Labasa and Lautoka Hospitals until further notice.

The Sub divisional hospitals and health centers will deal with emergency cases only and designated centers will be open in various areas.