ASHA workers lock senior health official during protest in Odisha’s Gajapati

Tension prevailed at Mohana Community Health Centre (CHC) in Odisha’s Gajapati district as protesting ASHA workers allegedly locked the Additional District Medical Officer (ADMO) inside the premises on Tuesday.

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The incident occurred on the second day of an ongoing agitation demanding the transfer of Mohana CHC Medical Officer.

The ASHA workers have been continuing their protest since yesterday, accusing the CHC officer of misconduct and seeking immediate administrative action against him. The ADMO had arrived at the health centre earlier in the day to inquire into the matter and initiate necessary steps.

According to sources, the Chief District Medical Officer’s office had issued a directive asking the CHC Medical Officer to relinquish charge and hand over responsibilities to another official. However, the officer allegedly refused to accept the transfer order, resulting in a failure to complete the handover process.

This triggered anger among the ASHA workers, who then confined the ADMO as a mark of protest. They warned that the Dharna (sit-in) protest would continue until concrete action was taken against the concerned CHC officer.

Later, on being informed, a team of local police reached the spot and safely rescued the senior health official, bringing the situation under control.

“I had come here along with an office order of the CDMO for transfer of DDO (drawing and disbursing) and administrative powers,” Gajapati ADMO, Pradip Mahapatra, said.

“The order was not received by Jay Panda (the CHC in charge). He insisted the order be e-mailed to him instead and left the hospital and went out. Then, I contacted the CDMO and sought his advice. He asked me to go back,” ADMO Mahapatra added.