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bout 250 employees of the Purwokerto Islamic Hospital (RSIP) in Banyumas regency, Central Java, including nurses and doctors, went on a total strike on Thursday.

They directed outpatients to other hospitals for treatment. As a result, the hospital was totally empty and healthcare services were completely paralyzed.

“We already provided information seven days earlier to relevant parties regarding the work strike, as well as announcing to the public in front of the hospital and apologizing that we are on strike and could not serve them,” RSIP Workers Union leader Agus Riyanto told the media.

The rally was staged in protest against the plan by Muslim organization Muhammadiyah to take over RSIP, which is purely a self-supported entity of Banyumas’ residents.

RSIP employee Yasminah said the work strike was necessary because members of the hospital foundation had not done what they had been mandated to do.

“The foundation members have diverted from the mandate of Banyumas’ residents who set up this hospital. The hospital belongs to an independent foundation, but suddenly the Muhammadiyah Charity Foundation wished to annex it. The Muhammadiyah board should be ashamed of this,” Yasminah told The Jakarta Post.