Bhubaneswar, July 3 (IANS). There was significant disruption in health services due to the indefinite strike by doctors across the state from Wednesday over 10-point demands. Meanwhile, the opposition Biju Janata Dal (BJD) on Friday launched a scathing attack on the state government and alleged that due to its indifferent and careless policy, health services have come to a complete standstill across the state.
BJD further said that from post-mortem to OPD, IPD, treatment of outdoor patients and medical care of patients admitted in hospitals, every aspect of healthcare has been badly affected.
Addressing a press conference, BJD senior vice-president and former health minister Debi Prasad Mishra said that the 10-point demands of the doctors were discussed between the health secretary, health minister and office-bearers of the Odisha Medical Services Association (OMSA) on January 9, 2026.
He further said that the government has assured that a committee will be formed under the chairmanship of the Additional Chief Secretary and a solution will be found within two to three months.
Mishra said that unfortunately, the committee could not be formed as the Additional Chief Secretary went on leave and later retired. As a result, after a wait of six months, OMSA issued a strike notice with effect from July 1, which is celebrated as National Doctors Day.
He said that despite a meeting with the government on June 2, no concrete assurance or written commitment was given on the doctors’ demands.
He said the government failed to give any credible assurance even in the June 30 meeting, leaving doctors with no option but to continue the strike, which has severely affected health services across the state.
Mishra said the state government should immediately intervene and restore normal health services. Immediate steps should be taken to ensure that patients are not denied medical treatment. If any unfortunate incident happens, the state government will be completely responsible for it.
Meanwhile, in a significant development, the Health and Family Welfare Department on Friday wrote to the Odisha Medical Services Association (OMSA) inviting it for discussions with Health Minister Mukesh Mahalinga at 11:30 am on Saturday.
–IANS
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