Bhubaneswar, Jan 7: The Odisha Medical Services Association (OMSA) has decided to defy the state government’s order under the Odisha Essential Services (Maintenance) Act (ESMA) and continue its ongoing agitation. The decision was taken at an emergency meeting of OMSA held on Tuesday evening.

As part of the protest, OMSA will continue its two-hour morning OPD shutdown across government hospitals in the state. OMSA President Dr. Kishore Mishra said doctors have unanimously decided not to withdraw from the agitation until their demands are met.

Dr. Mishra further stated that even if the state government imposes ESMA and initiates arrests of doctors, the association is prepared to face the consequences. He reiterated that the protest would continue until the 10-point charter of demands is fulfilled.

Doctors across Odisha have launched the agitation, leading to a two-hour closure of OPD services in government hospitals, which has severely affected patient care. In response, the state government has imposed restrictions under ESMA to prevent disruption of essential health services.

Under the ESMA provisions, all forms of agitation have been banned for the next six months. A notification issued by the Home Department prohibits doctors, nursing officers, pharmacists, paramedical staff, technicians, and third- and fourth-grade employees from participating in any protest. The restrictions also apply to contractual employees working at district, sub-divisional, community, primary, municipal health institutions, and medical colleges.

The government said the measures were taken in public interest to ensure uninterrupted healthcare services across the state.