OMSA Announces Hour-Long Halt
Bhubaneswar: The Odisha Medical Services Association (OMSA), representing government doctors, has suspended OPD services at state-run hospitals and work under the National Health Mission (NHM) for one hour from 10 am to 11 am starting December 26, 2025. This comes as part of ongoing agitation over long-standing demands.
Indefinite Strike Continues
Despite recent discussions with the state government, OMSA announced it will continue its indefinite strike. The association stated that no written assurances were provided regarding the fulfillment of their demands, and the government only promised to form a committee to review them, reports Odisha Bytes.
Government Meeting Held
On Thursday, Health and Family Welfare Minister Mukesh Mahaling met with OMSA representatives to discuss their grievances. The talks, convened on instructions from Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi, aimed to ensure uninterrupted healthcare services while addressing the doctors’ concerns.
Positive Outcome, Yet Protest Persists
While the government assured that a committee would examine the doctors’ demands and take appropriate action, OMSA decided to continue its agitation, citing the lack of concrete written commitments, according to Odisha Bytes.
Key Demands of Doctors
The main demand of OMSA is the swift implementation of the Dynamic Assured Career Progression (DACP) system, which ensures timely promotions for government doctors. Other demands include KBK exit policy, transparent transfers, cadre restructuring, regular DPCs, safety and security of healthcare professionals, and health insurance.
Additional Demands and Reforms
Doctors also seek PAR reforms, clean administration, uniform OPD and emergency services, involvement in policy consultations, revised allowances at Capital Hospital, regularisation of ad-hoc doctors, institutional strengthening, and justice for veteran staff.
Background of the Protest
Medical Dialogues had earlier reported that OMSA planned to halt OPD services for one hour and suspend NHM work starting December 26, 2025, before launching a full strike in January 2026. Doctors allege that their demands have been pending for over a decade with no concrete government action.
Potential Escalation
As a mark of protest against what they termed “false assurances,” doctors have suspended OPD services for one hour. OMSA has warned that the agitation may intensify in coming days, including the possibility of mass resignations if their demands remain unaddressed.
