Bhubaneswar, Jan 5: Healthcare services across Odisha are set to face disruption as the Odisha Medical Services Association (OMSA) has decided to shut down Outpatient Department (OPD) services for two hours every day at government hospitals, citing the state government’s failure to address doctors’ long-pending demands.

As per the decision, OPDs will remain closed from 9 am to 11 am daily starting today, impacting thousands of patients who depend on public healthcare facilities. OMSA leaders said the step was taken after repeated appeals to the government yielded no concrete response.

Doctors are demanding timely promotions, salary hikes, and adequate workplace security, among other issues. OMSA has been agitating on a 10-point charter of demands and had been observing a one-hour OPD shutdown from 10 am to 11 am since December 26. However, with no assurance from the government, the association’s central executive committee decided to extend the shutdown to two hours.

The Junior Doctors’ Association has extended support to OMSA, warning of intensified agitation if demands remain unmet. Junior doctors from SCB Medical College, Burla, and MKCG Medical College have also backed the protest, raising concerns of further escalation.

OMSA President Dr. Kishore Chandra Mishra and Secretary Dr. Sanjib Pradhan stated that the government would be responsible for any untoward situation. Meanwhile, Health Minister Mukesh Mahaling has appealed to doctors to resume duties in the interest of patients.

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