Odisha Doctors Warn of Fresh Strike, Seek Action on Pending Demands

Doctors in Odisha are once again threatening to intensify their protest, with the Odisha Medical Service Association (OMSA) expressing strong displeasure over the state government’s alleged failure to act on assurances made during earlier negotiations.
The association said several issues raised by doctors remain unresolved despite commitments from the Health Minister and Health Secretary. OMSA has now asked the government to settle all pending matters and issue the required notifications by the end of October.
A key issue concerns the transfer of doctors who have completed five years of service in the KBK region. Under the existing policy, eligible doctors can seek transfers to locations of their choice. OMSA said their preferences were collected through the government’s transfer portal in January, but transfer orders have not yet been issued.
The association claimed that the transfer file has been pending at the Health Minister’s level for around seven months. It argued that doctors working in remote and challenging areas should not have to rely on personal requests or influence to avail themselves of a transfer benefit already provided under government policy.

OMSA also pointed to assurances given during a meeting with the Health Secretary in July. A committee at the secretary level met on July 22 to consider the doctors’ demands, but the association said the promised government notifications have still not been released.
Doctors had earlier launched protests over their demands, including a two-hour shutdown of OPD services. The agitation was called off after the government gave assurances. However, OMSA resumed its protest in July, alleging that the commitments had not been implemented. Following further discussions with the authorities, the agitation was later put on hold.
The association has now set the end of October as the deadline for the government to address the pending issues, raising the possibility of a fresh doctors’ strike if no action is taken.