Bhubaneswar: Healthcare services across several government-run hospitals in Odisha remained disrupted on Thursday as the indefinite cease-work agitation by state government doctors entered its second consecutive day, impacting outpatient care and routine medical services in many districts.
The agitation, launched on Wednesday by around 8,000 doctors under the banner of the Odisha Medical Services Association (OMSA), is being held in support of a 10-point charter of demands. The doctors are seeking measures including transparency in the transfer policy, cadre restructuring, implementation of Dynamic Assured Career Progression (DACP) benefits on par with the Central Government Health Scheme (CGHS), health insurance, security, incentives and reforms in the KBK exit policy.
The protest is being observed at district headquarters hospitals, sub-divisional hospitals and healthcare facilities in rural areas. However, doctors serving in government medical colleges have continued attending patients while wearing black badges as a mark of protest, according to OMSA. Contractual doctors are also continuing their duties in several healthcare institutions.
One of the key issues raised by the association relates to the transfer policy for doctors posted in the Kalahandi-Balangir-Koraput (KBK) region. Although doctors are required to complete a mandatory three-year tenure in the region, OMSA alleged that many are not being transferred even after fulfilling the stipulated period.
OMSA president Kishore Chandra Mishra alleged that repeated appeals to the government over longstanding service-related issues had failed to yield results, leaving the association with no option but to resort to an indefinite strike. He said the organisation’s demands include implementation of DACP benefits in line with the CGHS, adequate security measures and health insurance coverage for doctors.
He warned that the agitation would continue until the government addresses the demands, adding that any prolonged disruption in healthcare services would be the responsibility of the authorities.
The strike has significantly affected outpatient departments (OPDs) and routine healthcare services, particularly in district and rural hospitals. Patients visiting district headquarters hospitals in Balasore, Bhadrak, Kendrapara and Jajpur reportedly faced long waiting times as doctors remained absent from duty. In several rural healthcare facilities, patients were forced to return home without receiving treatment due to the ongoing agitation.
