Bhubaneswar: While healthcare services were severely affected in Odisha on Saturday as doctors joined the nationwide protest, demanding justice for Kolkata’s RG Kar Medical College rape and murder, Odisha Health Minister said the state government is committed to safety and security of doctors.
“Doctors’ safety is one of our priorities and we are committed to giving them protection,” Mahaling said.
The government was in touch with different doctors’ associations and requested the agitators to return to work so that healthcare services could be provided to the needy people, he said.
“We are also having discussions with the Chief Minister to solve the ongoing situation due to the strike,” Mahaling added.
About 6,000 members of the Indian Medical Association (IMA) joined the protest across the state, leading to the closure of outpatient departments, elective surgeries and laboratory services in both government and private hospitals.
The 24-hour protest will continue till 6 am on Sunday.
Besides seeking justice for their colleague, the agitating doctors were demanding central legislation that ensured the safety and security of healthcare workers and pledged to continue their stir till it was met.
