Baleshwar: As the Odisha government adopted a tough approach towards the striking doctors, the Chief District Medical and Public Health Officer of Baleshwar on Friday directed agitating doctors in the district to end the stir and report for duty within 12 hours.
In a communication, the CDMO asked the DMO-cum-Superintendent of District Headquarters Hospital, Superintendent of SDH Nilagiri, and all Community Health Centres (CHCs) to ensure that doctors participating in the strike immediately resume their duties.
The letter specifically refers to doctors belonging to the Odisha Medical and Health Services (OMHS) cadre and other doctors who joined the cease-work agitation called by the Odisha Medical Services Association (OMSA).
The move comes after the Commissioner-cum-Secretary of the Health and Family Welfare Department issued instruction in this regard. The district health administration has asked the striking doctors to withdraw from the protest and report for duty within 12 hours to avoid disciplinary action by the government.
The letter also appealed to doctors to return to work at the earliest in the interest of healthcare services.
Notably, the Health and Family Welfare Department has warned of strict action against doctors continuing the strike. The department has directed authorities to stop the salaries of regular OMHS cadre doctors who remain absent from duty and initiate termination proceedings against contractual doctors participating in the agitation.
The state government made it clear that health services are covered under the Odisha Essential Services (Maintenance) Act (OESMA), which prohibits strikes by doctors and paramedical staff. It has termed the ongoing boycott of medical services as a violation of service conduct rules and said the protest has disrupted healthcare services across government hospitals in the state.
A senior official said that the Health department is closely monitoring developments across the state. He said reports have been received that doctors have resumed duties in some districts, including Dhenkanal and Kalahandi.
