Odisha govt invokes OESMA on striking doctors

With over 6,000 doctors posted in government-run hospitals across Odisha continuing their two-hour cease work from the outpatient department (OPD) services, the Odisha Government on Tuesday invoked Orissa Essential Services Maintenance Act (OESMA) provisions prohibiting the ongoing doctors’ strike for next six months.

Demanding revised pay at par with Central pay structure, the doctors had gone ahead with two-hour OPD boycott from yesterday after the several rounds of talks between the government and doctors had failed.

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The Odisha Medical Services Association (OMSA) has condemned the government move to prohibit the strike stating that it’s an autocratic bureaucratic decision to trample down the genuine demands of doctors.

The order shall remain in force for a period of six months with effect from today, according to an order issued by the State’s Home Department.

“For interest of public, it is necessary to prohibit strikes in the form of cessation of work by doctors, Nursing officers, Pharmacy officers, other Paramedics, Technicians, class-III and Class-IV employees etc. including contractual employees in services/ engagements connected with maintenance of medical services in the Government Hospitals and Dispensaries in the State like District Head Quarters Hospitals, Sub- Divisional Hospitals, Area Hospitals, Community Health Center, Primary Health Centers, Municipality Hospitals etc. including Medical Colleges and Hospitals run by Government and other autonomous Health Institutions receiving Grant-in aid from State Government, specifically Acharya Harihar Regional Cancer Centre, Regional Spinal Injury Centre including Jail Hospitals, Police Hospitals etc. so that health care delivery system in the State is not affected / disrupted”, the order read.

Over 6,000 doctors providing health service in 32 district hospitals, 300 community health centres besides primary health centres are taking active part in the ongoing stir.