Bhubaneswar: The Odisha Medical Services Association (OMSA) has decided to shut down Outpatient Department (OPD) services for two hours every day at government hospitals as their demands remained unfulfilled.
As per the decision, OPDs will remain closed from 9 am to 11 am daily starting today, affecting patient care and services.
According to reports, OMSA took this decision after the state government failed to fulfill doctors’ demands including promotion, salary hike, and security in the workplace
Meanwhile, The Junior Doctors’ Association has extended its support to the OMSA’s decision, warning of further agitation if their demands are not met. The situation is expected to worsen with junior doctors from SCB, Burla, and MKCG Medical Colleges have backed the OMSA’s demands.
It is pertinent to mention that the OMSA has been protesting with a 10-point demand, including promotion, salary hike, and security in the workplace, and has been observing a one-hour OPD shutdown from 10 am to 11 am since December 26. However, the government did not any decision on their demands. Finding no other go, the OMSA’s central executive committee meeting decided to extend the OPD shutdown time from 1 hour to 2 hours much to the inconvenience of patients who were already facing difficulties in accessing medical care.
OMSA President Dr Kishore Chandra Mishra and Secretary Dr. Sanjib Pradhan said, “We have informed the government about our demands, and the public is also aware of the OPD shutdown. Our intention is not to trouble patients, and the government will be responsible for any untoward incidents.”
Meanwhile, Odisha Health Minister Mukesh Mahaling has appealed to the agitating doctors to join duty and continue providing medical services to patients.
“Doctors should focus on patient care and join duty. Odisha government is open to discussions and talks can resolve all issues. We urge doctors to consider the wellbeing of patients and ensure their services are not disrupted. Our government has formed a committee after coming to power to resolve the doctors’ issues,” said the Minister.
