The Odisha Medical Services Association (OMSA) on Saturday issued an ultimatum to the state government, threatening a one-hour outpatient department (OPD) strike any day between June 22 and June 28 if the main accused in the assault on a doctor at Malkangiri district headquarters hospital (DHH) is not arrested by Sunday evening. The association also warned of a complete cessation of work from July 1 if the government fails to address its long-standing demands, including pay parity, cadre restructuring, and dynamic assured career progression (DACP).
Assault on Duty Doctor Condemned
Addressing a news conference, OMSA general secretary Dr. Sanjib Kumar Pradhan strongly condemned the attack on the doctor on duty at Malkangiri DHH on Wednesday. He stated that if relatives of the deceased patient had any grievance against the hospital or the doctor, they could have lodged a complaint with local police or hospital authorities, rather than resorting to violence. “Assaulting a doctor cannot be accepted,” Pradhan asserted.
The incident occurred when relatives of a pregnant woman allegedly attacked the doctor over perceived medical negligence after the patient died. Malkangiri police have so far arrested six individuals in connection with the assault.
Fact-Finding Team to Visit Malkangiri
OMSA announced that a five-member fact-finding team of senior members, led by association president Dr. Kishore Chandra Mishra, will visit Malkangiri DHH on Sunday to inquire into the incident. The team will also meet with local police, hospital authorities, and other concerned parties. “After the team submits its report, we will discuss the issue with the government in detail. We will also hold a symbolic one-hour OPD strike any day next week,” Dr. Pradhan added.
Cease-Work Threat from July 1
Dr. Pradhan warned that doctors working in government hospitals would cease work from July 1, which is observed as National Doctors’ Day, to press for pay parity, cadre restructuring, and DACP on the lines of the central scale. OMSA had postponed its strike in January after the government assured it would act on its demands. However, the association decided at its recent general body meeting to resume the agitation, alleging that the government had not taken adequate steps.
Dr. Mishra noted that more than 8,500 OMSA doctors are working in different government hospitals, while around 2,500 are serving in medical colleges and hospitals on deputation. “In January, the government assured us that it would resolve the matter and fulfil our demands, but no significant steps have been taken so far. That is why we are planning a complete cease-work agitation from July 1,” Mishra said.
Background of the Agitation
The OMSA has been demanding pay parity with central government doctors, cadre restructuring, and implementation of DACP for several months. The January strike was called off after the government formed a committee to look into the demands. However, doctors claim that no concrete action has been taken, leading to the renewed threat of a strike. The association’s decision to escalate the agitation underscores the growing frustration among government doctors in Odisha over unresolved issues related to their career progression and remuneration.
