Two-hour OPD shutdown by doctors disrupts patient care across Odisha

Patient care services were severely affected across Odisha on Monday following a two-hour statewide agitation by government doctors under the banner of the Odisha Medical Service Association (OMSA). 

The protest led to widespread inconvenience as patients and their attendants were forced to wait for hours at various government hospitals, medical colleges, and health institutions.

According to sources, doctors across the state observed a two-hour strike by shutting down outpatient department (OPD) services, while continuing only emergency medical care. As a result, routine consultations, follow-up check-ups, and non-emergency treatments remained suspended during the protest hours, causing distress to hundreds of patients who had arrived early at hospitals for treatment.

Long-Pending Demands

The OMSA has launched an agitation to press for several long-pending demands. Key among them is the implementation of Dynamic Assured Career Progression (DACP) at par with central government rates, restructuring of the dental surgeons’ cadre, and the provision of post-mortem allowances. The doctors’ association has stated that unless their demands are fulfilled, the agitation will continue on a daily basis.

Also Read: Doctors intensify protest in Odisha; OPD services suspended for two hours across state

As part of the protest plan, OMSA has announced that OPD services will remain closed every day from 9 am to 11 am across government hospitals in the state. The association, however, clarified that emergency services would continue uninterrupted to ensure that critical patients are not affected.

“We are deep trouble. I have brought my husband; he is suffering from diarrhoea and cannot even stand properly. We have been waiting for over one hour, but no doctor is attending us,” alleged a patient. 

Health Minister Assures 

When contacted, Health Minister Mukesh Mahaling said, “Any matter can be solved through discussions across the table. So, I request once again to come forward and initiate discussions. Doctors are next to God. So, I request them to respect their profession and engage in patient treatment.”

Meanwhile, the state government has taken note of the situation and constituted a committee to examine the demands raised by the doctors. The government has indicated that the issues can be resolved through dialogue and discussion. The Health Minister has appealed to the protesting doctors to call off the agitation and resume regular duties in the larger interest of public health, assuring them that their grievances will be addressed through appropriate channels.