Junior Doctors’ Association says indefinite OMSA strike has triggered massive patient influx, putting VIMSAR’s healthcare system under severe strain
The Junior Doctors’ Association (JDA) of Veer Surendra Sai Institute of Medical Sciences and Research (VIMSAR), Burla, has appealed to the Odisha Government to intervene immediately and resolve the ongoing indefinite strike by the Odisha Medical Services Association (OMSA), warning that the prolonged agitation is pushing the institute towards a serious healthcare crisis.
The appeal comes a day after government doctors across Odisha, under the banner of OMSA, launched an indefinite statewide strike on National Doctors’ Day, demanding the implementation of their 10-point charter of demands.
Peripheral Hospital Strike Increases Burden on VIMSAR
In a memorandum submitted to the Commissioner-cum-Secretary of the Health and Family Welfare Department, the JDA stated that the strike in government hospitals across the state has resulted in an unprecedented influx of patients to VIMSAR over the past 48 hours.
According to the association, the tertiary care institute, which is primarily meant to handle specialised and referral cases, is now receiving a large number of routine and non-emergency patients who would ordinarily be treated at primary and secondary healthcare facilities.
Junior Doctors Working Without Adequate Rest
Highlighting the growing pressure on healthcare workers, JDA President Dr Malay Ranjan Mallik said doctors, postgraduate residents and hospital staff have been working continuously for the last two days without sufficient rest due to the sudden increase in patient load.
He warned that if the current situation continues for another 48 hours, VIMSAR’s healthcare delivery system could face severe operational challenges, affecting both the quality and availability of medical care for patients.
The association also expressed concern over the physical and mental fatigue being experienced by resident doctors and healthcare personnel managing the overwhelming patient inflow.
JDA Seeks Immediate Government Intervention
The Junior Doctors’ Association has urged the Odisha Government to hold discussions with the Odisha Medical Services Association (OMSA) and take urgent measures to resolve the deadlock.
According to the association, a prolonged disruption in healthcare services at peripheral hospitals could have serious consequences for the state’s healthcare system by overburdening tertiary referral centres like VIMSAR.
Junior Doctors Extend Support to OMSA
While appealing for an early resolution, the JDA also expressed solidarity with the demands raised by the striking government doctors.
Members of the association wore black badges as a mark of support for the OMSA’s agitation while continuing to provide medical services at VIMSAR.
Concerns Over Statewide Healthcare Delivery
The ongoing strike has raised broader concerns about the increasing burden on tertiary healthcare institutions, with referral hospitals witnessing a sharp rise in patient numbers as services at peripheral government hospitals remain affected.
Healthcare professionals have cautioned that unless the dispute is resolved promptly, the sustained pressure on major government medical colleges and referral hospitals could impact patient care across Odisha.
