Bhubaneswar: Healthcare services across Odisha were affected following the 24-hour ceasework strike call given by All Odisha Private Medical Establishment Forum (AOPMEF) on Friday.
As many as 2000 private hospitals, clinics, diagnostic centres and patholoy labs have downed shutters, demanding amendments to the Odisha Clinical Establishments Act.
The Forum has urged the state government to take immediate step for registration and renewal of licence of the private hospitals which have been pending since 2014 and allow all doctors of the private hospitals to discharge their duties efficiently.
Medical practitioners of private hospitals and clinic staged demonstrations, while bike allies wee organised in Cutttack and Bhadak to press for the demands. In Odisha capital, a rally was organised at Master Canteen.
The ceasework strike will continue till 6.00 am on Saturday.
Meanwhile, the private hospitals have closed outdoor departments and refused to take in new patients. However, the treatment of patients admitted will continue.
On the other hand, the Health department has taken adequate measures to provide health services to the patients. All government hospitals in the state have been asked to ensure proper treatment of the patients.
The state government has cancelled the leave of all doctors and employees of the SCB Medical College and Hospital in Cuttack. Besides, more para-medical staff and doctors have been engaged in the Casualty, Trauma Care and Gynecology departments.
“As more patients from the private hospitals are expected to be shifted to the SCB Hospital, the medical superintendent and the hospital administration has alerted all the doctors and staff to provide emergency treatment to these patients on priority,” Dr Bhubanananda Maharana, Emergency Officer of the medical college told mediapersons here.
