Bhubaneswar: Doctors affiliated to the Odisha Medical Services Association (OMSA) on Saturday withdrew their indefinite cease-work agitation after a meeting with Odisha Health Minister Mukesh Mahaling
The strike, which began on July 1, was launched to press for a 10-point charter of demands relating to service conditions and career progression.
In a statement issued after the meeting, OMSA said the decision to end the agitation was taken following assurances from the state government that a high-level committee would be constituted to examine the doctors’ demands.
“We have decided to call off our indefinite strike following a meeting with the Health Minister. As per a decision taken at the meeting, the state government will form a high-level committee to look into our demands,” OMSA said.
The association further said another round of discussions between the government and OMSA has been scheduled for July 22 to deliberate on the pending issues.
Doctors affiliated to OMSA have been directed to resume duties with immediate effect, the association added, expressing hope that healthcare services across the state would return to normal.
Before the breakthrough, the Health Minister had invited the agitating doctors for talks in an effort to resolve the deadlock.
OMSA had been demanding cadre restructuring, implementation of dynamic assured career progression, special incentives, and place-based incentives, among other measures.
The agitation had significantly affected healthcare delivery in several government hospitals, including Community Health Centres (CHCs) and District Headquarters Hospitals (DHHs) across Odisha.
