Bhubaneswar, July 3: The Odisha government on Friday issued a stern warning to doctors on strike, directing them to immediately withdraw their agitation and resume duties. The Health and Family Welfare Department has instructed that the salaries of doctors who fail to report for work be withheld.
The department has issued directions to all Chief District Medical Officers (CDMOs), Public Health Officers (PHOs), and the Deans and Superintendents of government medical colleges to implement the order.
The move comes after the government had earlier appealed to the agitating doctors to call off their strike and participate in discussions. However, with the agitation continuing, the department has now warned of disciplinary action.
According to the Health Department, senior officials, including the Health Minister, the Commissioner-cum-Secretary, and the Director of Health Services, had held detailed discussions with representatives of the Odisha Medical Services Association (OMSA) before the strike began. The government said dialogue with the association continued at various levels in an effort to resolve the issue.
The government maintained that it has already addressed several long-standing demands of doctors by implementing cadre restructuring, Dynamic Assured Career Progression (DACP), Special Incentive and Place-based Incentive schemes. It also highlighted measures taken to facilitate higher education opportunities for doctors.
Reiterating its commitment to addressing the legitimate concerns of the medical fraternity, the government said patient welfare and uninterrupted healthcare services remain its top priority. It urged the protesting doctors to rejoin duty immediately, assuring them that their demands would be discussed through constructive dialogue once they return to work.
Invoking the principle of "Service is the Highest Duty," the Health Department appealed to the doctors to withdraw the agitation and continue providing healthcare services. It also warned that if the strike continues to disrupt patient care and essential health services, the government will be compelled to take appropriate action.
