AYUSH doctors stage sit-in protest over 10-point charter of demands in Bhubaneswar

A large number of medicos under the banner of Odisha AYUSH doctors’ outfit launched a protest on Wednesday at Mahatma Gandhi Marg in Bhubaneswar, pressing for their 10-point charter of demands.

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The demonstrators, dressed in white aprons and wearing stethoscopes, sat in a peaceful protest, symbolically highlighting their professional identity and concerns.

Their key demands include regularisation of jobs and a revision of salaries, issues they say have remained unaddressed for years. The committee argues that despite working on the frontlines of public health, the AYUSH practitioners continue to face job insecurity and inadequate pay, affecting both morale and service delivery.

The protesting doctors stated that they would continue their Dharna (sit-in) until the State government holds talks and provides a concrete assurance regarding their demands.

“Starting from outdoor service up to patient treatment and execution of national and State programmes, AYUSH doctors have been playing a leading role in healthcare. Even during the Covid-19 pandemic outbreak, AYUSH doctors had provided healthcare services to people at several places by putting their lives at risk,” an agitating doctor said to OTV.

Later in the day, AYUSH doctors withdrew their protest. After discussions with the Health Minister, the doctors decided to end their agitation. It was learnt that a promise was made to fulfil their demands within 30 days.

Reported By: Arun Kumar Sahu