Odisha doctors to halt OPD services from December 26, threaten mass resignation

Bhubaneswar: "If the state government fails to accept our demands, we will be forced to go for mass resignation,'' said government doctors under the Odisha Medical Services Association (OMSA). The association has announced that it will stop OPD services for at least one hour and suspend National Health Mission (NHM)-related work from December 26, 2025, before launching a full strike in January 2026.

The association said doctors have been waiting for more than a decade for their demands to be fulfilled, but the government has not taken any concrete steps so far. As a mark of protest against what they called the government’s false assurances, doctors will suspend OPD services for at least one hour. They also said the agitation may be intensified in the coming days, including the option of mass resignation.

Also read- Odisha govt doctors warn of statewide strike from January

Medical Dialogues had reported that OMSA, which represents government doctors in the state, had warned of a statewide strike from January 2026 if their long-pending demands are not addressed by the end of December. The association said doctors would stop attending OPDs and completely halt work if the government continues to ignore their concerns.

The main demand of OMSA is the quick implementation of the Dynamic Assured Career Progression (DACP) system, which ensures timely promotions for government doctors. Following this, the doctors demand a KBK exit policy, transparent transfer procedures, cadre restructuring, regular DPCs, safety and security of healthcare professionals, health insurance, and basic amenities.

They also want PAR reforms, clean administration, uniform OPD and emergency services, and involvement of OMSA in consultations on policy matters. In addition, Capital Hospital, revising allowances, regularising ad-hoc doctors, strengthening institutions, and justice for veterans are among the other major issues raised by the doctors.

The association expressed dissatisfaction over the way doctors are being treated despite their years of education, experience, and service to patients in government hospitals.

Speaking to Medical Dialogues, OMSA State President, Dr Kishore Chandra Misra said, "The government is biased against doctors and treats us as inferior compared to political leaders, engineers, and even high school teachers. There are no promotions, no cadre restructuring, and no career progression for doctors. We should not be treated like second-class employees. While the government avails treatment in corporate hospitals using taxpayers’ money, it shows little concern for doctors who are serving the people of the state."

He added, "For the past 15 years, we have been demanding the implementation of DACP, but the government has failed to fulfil this long-pending demand. We are repeatedly told that the matter is ‘under consideration’. But how long should doctors wait? If the government continues to ignore us, we will be forced to intensify our protest, including mass resignations."

Also read- Odisha Govt doctors launch protest over 18-point charter of demands