Bhubaneswar: Healthcare services are likely to be disrupted across Odisha tomorrow as a state-wide strike in private hospitals, pathology labs and diagnostic centres has been called by the All Odisha Private Medical Establishment Forum (AOPMEF) demanding an amendment of the Odisha Clinical Establishments Act.
All private hospitals, clinics and diagnostic centres will remain closed for 24 hours from 6 AM on May 25.
According to sources, more than 2,000 clinics and laboratories will be joining the protest. While outdoor departments will remain shut and new patients will not be admitted, treatment of the existing patients will continue, informed AOPMEF sources.
Advisor of AOPMEF, Gadadhar Sarangi, said "There is a need of a change in the rules and requirements should be laid out which could help in registration of private hospitals. But if we suddenly clampdown on the hospitals which were registered way back in 2002, then the concerned hospital will be unable to fulfil the required criteria. If we close them down, how will the public get the services?"
Keeping the strike in view, the Odisha Health Department has directed all the government medical institutions to ensure that patients don't face any trouble because of the shut down.
Meanwhile, the SCB Medical College & Hospital in Cuttack has made all arrangements ahead of the shut down, sources informed. Leaves of all the doctors and workers have been cancelled and more paramedical staff and doctors have been appointed in the casualty, trauma care and women & maternal care departments.
Emergency officer of SCB medical, Bhubanananda Maharana said "All the doctors have been asked to be on duty in casualty, trauma care, and labour room as load in these departments could remain higher. They have been directed by the superintendent and the hospital authorities to ensure that services are not hampered."
The strike call was given by the AOPMEF during a meeting at the IMA Institute on May 20.
The forum alleged that the provisions under the Odisha Clinical Establishments Act are proving to be a hindrance for easy registration as well as renewal of licenses of private healthcare facilities.