Bhubaneswar, 05 January (H.S.): Doctors across Odisha intensified their ongoing agitation on Monday, leading to a two-hour suspension of Outpatient Department (OPD) services at government medical colleges and hospitals from 9 am to 11 am. The protest, led by the Odisha Medical Services Association (OMSA), is centered on long-pending demands, particularly the urgent filling of vacant doctor posts across the state.

OMSA had earlier observed a one-hour OPD shutdown but decided to extend the duration after what it described as an inadequate response from the state government. During the protest period, doctors refrained from attending patients in OPDs, while emergency services continued to function without disruption.

The association highlighted the excessive workload faced by existing doctors due to staff shortages and demanded immediate action to fill sanctioned vacant posts. OMSA further warned that if the government fails to take concrete steps by January 14, OPD services may be suspended for two hours each in both morning and afternoon sessions in the coming days.

Meanwhile, the state government has constituted an inter-departmental committee to examine the demands raised by the doctors. The committee is expected to engage with stakeholders and submit its report to the government shortly.

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Hindusthan Samachar / Monalisa Panda