Bhubaneswar, July 2: Healthcare services across several government hospitals in Odisha remained affected on Thursday as the indefinite cease-work agitation by government doctors entered its second day. The strike has disrupted outpatient departments (OPDs) and routine medical services in many districts, causing inconvenience to patients.

Around 8,000 doctors under the banner of the Odisha Medical Services Association (OMSA) launched the agitation on Wednesday, pressing for the fulfilment of a 10-point charter of demands. The association is seeking greater 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 coverage, improved security, incentives, and reforms in the KBK exit policy.

The protest is being observed at district headquarters hospitals, sub-divisional hospitals, and healthcare centres in rural areas. However, doctors serving in government medical colleges have continued treating patients while wearing black badges as a symbolic protest. Contractual doctors are also continuing their duties in several hospitals to minimise disruption to emergency healthcare services.

A major concern raised by OMSA relates to the transfer policy for doctors serving in the Kalahandi-Balangir-Koraput (KBK) region. The association alleged that many doctors are not being transferred even after completing the mandatory three-year tenure.

OMSA President Dr. Kishore Chandra Mishra said repeated representations to the state government over long-pending service-related issues had failed to produce results, forcing doctors to launch the indefinite strike. He warned that the agitation would continue until the government addresses their demands, adding that responsibility for any prolonged disruption in public healthcare services would rest with the authorities.

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