In a powerful symbolic gesture, students of the Ayurvedic and Homeopathic Medical College and Hospital in Berhampur have escalated their ongoing agitation by dispatching their white coats to Odisha's Health and Family Welfare Minister, Mukesh Mahaling. The coats were sent via speed post on Monday, marking a significant intensification of their protest which began on November 6.
Core Demands Behind the White Coat Protest
The students, under the banner of the All Odisha Ayush Students' Association, have vowed not to wear their white coats until the state government addresses their eight-point charter of demands. Ayushman Mishra, a representative of the association, stated clearly, "We will not wear the white coats till the govt fulfils our demands."
The central demands of the protesting students include:
- Provision of a dynamic stipend at par with MBBS students during their compulsory internships.
- Creation of dedicated Ayush posts within the state's healthcare system to ensure employment opportunities.
- A substantial increase in postgraduate (PG) seats in Ayurvedic and Homeopathic colleges across Odisha.
Long-Standing Grievances Come to a Head
Student leaders highlighted decades of perceived neglect, claiming that the government has not appointed any Ayush officer in the last 25 years. This administrative gap, they argue, has stifled career prospects for graduates. They further pointed out a critical imbalance in the education system: while approximately 350 to 400 undergraduate (UG) students pass out every year, there are only a handful of PG seats available, creating a severe bottleneck for advanced studies.
Government Response and Future Steps
As the protest garners attention, a senior state government officer has responded, indicating that the government would take a decision soon on their demands. This assurance, however, has yet to convince the students to call off their agitation. The act of mailing their white coats—a universal symbol of medical service and learning—directly to the minister's office is intended to underscore their frustration and the urgency of their situation.
The protest in Berhampur reflects broader issues within the Ayush sector in Odisha, touching upon parity in medical education, career security, and the state's commitment to integrating traditional medicine into its public health framework. All eyes are now on the state government's next move.
