Odisha AYUSH Doctors Threaten Stir from March 27 Over Regularisation Demand
Bhubaneshwar: The All Odisha AYUSH Doctors’ Association (AOADA) has announced a statewide indefinite strike starting from March 27 to protest the state government’s ongoing neglect of their long-standing demands, including the regularization of their services.
Their primary demands include the Service Regularisation of all 1485 Co-located AYUSH Medical Officers posted in Community Health Centres and Primary Health Centres since 2007 and ensuring job security comparable to their Ayurveda and Homeopathy counterparts in government service considering the years of Service rendered. Additionally, they are also seeking equal pay, arguing that despite their contributions to the healthcare system, they continue to face disparities in salaries.
Additionally, the association advocates for higher education opportunities while retaining their jobs, enabling professional growth and improved patient care. Another pressing concern raised by the doctors is the irregular supply of essential medicines to AYUSH hospitals, which they claim hampers effective treatment. Hence, they demanded a Continuous Supply of Ayurveda, Homeopathy, and Unani Medicines to all AYUSH OPD functioning CHCs and PHCs of Odisha.
Dr Prashant Kumar Padhi said that since 2007, AYUSH doctors, who have been serving patients under the National Health Mission in 1485 community health centers and primary health centres, have been managing the state's medical system, all health schemes run by the central and state governments, combating natural disasters, direct combat against COVID and other epidemics, managing Shraddha Clinics, playing a leading role in combating the problem of malnutrition, and playing a leading role in managing several health schemes and ground level work.
State General Secretary of the Association, Dr Prabhas Chandra Swain, pointed out that although the government formed a committee in April 2013 to assess the permanent employment status of AYUSH doctors working under the National Health Mission (NHM) and to compare their salaries with those in other states, no concrete benefits have been provided to them so far. Dr. Swain further stated that in 2014, the State Health and Family Welfare Committee made an announcement regarding their employment status. Later, in 2016, after a high-level meeting chaired by the Health Secretary and attended by all Health Directors and Health Department officials, a formal proposal was submitted by the Ayush Director recommending the creation of the Ayush Treatment Officer post in Community Health Centers (CHCs) and Primary Health Centers (PHCs) across the state.
Despite multiple reviews of this proposal by the Departments of Law, Planning and Coordination, and Finance, it remains stalled in the Health Department, awaiting policy formulation. Dr. Swain emphasized that this prolonged delay reflects the government’s continued disregard for AYUSH doctors, who play a crucial role in the state's healthcare system. Hence, the association will start their agitation from 27th March until their problems are mitigated.
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