Odisha Doctors’ Body Threatens Cease Work From April 2

Bhubaneswar: Protesting non-fulfilment of its 11-point charter of demands, Odisha Medical Services Association (OMSA) has threatened to stage cease work from April 2.

In a joint statement, OMSA president Dr Narayan Rout and general secretary Dr Biswajit Samal said the doctors on duty will wear the black badge from March 15 to 20 as a mark of protest and stage a one-hour sit-in dharna in front of all district headquarters hospital from March 21 to 25 if the demands of the Association are not met.

“It has also been decided that the doctors will skip their duty in the outpatient department (OPD) and only provide emergency healthcare from March 26 to 31 and if their demands are not met by the government they will go for an indefinite cease work from April 2,” they added.

Referring to the demands of OMSA, the two office-bearers said the state government should withdraw the notification on the extension of the service period of the doctors from 62 to 65. They, however, said if the government has decided to stick to its decision, it should promote the doctors between 62 and 65 years and engage them in the treatment of patients instead of appointing them to a higher post.

“This apart, the Association strongly protests the decision of the government to appoint 2,450 doctors from outside Odisha through the Odisha Public Service Commission (OPSC). While the number of medical colleges and hospitals in Odisha has substantially gone up over the years and more than 1150 MBBS doctors are passing out from these institutions every year, the state government should find out as to why the doctors of Odisha are not keen on joining the district headquarters hospitals,” they pointed out.

Referring to the transfer policy for the doctors, they said though the government in a notification had said that the doctors working in the undivided Kalahandi, Balangir and Koraput (KBK) districts for five years will be transferred to other districts, the rules are not followed.

On the other demands of the association, they said the government should make 30% reservation of MBBS doctors working in the government hospitals if they went to pursue the post-graduate course. “The MBBS doctors do not find time to prepare for the PG courses as they spend most of the time in the treatment of the patients. Taking this into consideration, the Supreme Court has directed the states to make reservations for the MBBS doctors who are willing to pursue the PG courses,” they informed.

The other demands of the Association are the extension of the retirement age of the dental surgeons from 60 to 62 years with Dynamic Assured Career Progression (DACP) and promotional benefits, and the DACP for the Odisha Homoeopathic Medical Services (OHMS) doctors.