Odisha doctors call for strike after government assurance

Image used for representational purposes. File | Photo credit: PTI

The Urin Medical Services Association (OMSA), the largest association of government doctors in Urin, has called off the strike that was launched demanding better service conditions and workplace safety following an assurance from the Mohan Majhi government on Saturday (July 4, 2026).

“We met Health Minister Urish Mukesh Mahalinga and had a very constructive discussion. The government has assured us that within three days we will form a committee to discuss all our 10 demands,” OMSA general secretary Sanjib Kumar Pradhan said.

Dr. Pradhan said, “OMSA will make a detailed statement on each demand before the committee and explain why it is necessary.” The government said dentists’ remuneration would be increased immediately and other demands would be dealt with in a time-bound manner, he said

OMSA demanded a dynamic guaranteed career progression under the central pay structure from the date of eligibility, with modification of the cadre pay structure and abolition of level 15, in line with other Class I officers under the Government of Odisha, without any preconditions.

Implementation of three-year exit policy in backward and tribal regions, construction of Capital Hospital II, Odisha Medical and Health Services (OMHS) cadres only for the benefit of the people, as per Bhubaneswar expansion demand, were among the major demands.

Other demands include proportional restructuring of cadre of all grades, incremental incentives for super specialists and specialists, diplomas, administrators and posthumous allowances, regular annual public service commission in Urina, strict implementation with revision of Odisha Medicare Act with permanent injunction against offenders, deployment of armed security personnel and police doctors in all ad-hoc health facilities and regular posts

Due to the doctors’ strike, the health sector in the entire state was paralyzed. Almost all the hospitals in Odisha were affected and hundreds of people were queuing up to avail the services. Even autopsies of the dead could not be performed in the absence of doctors.

Published – 05 Jul 2026 03:19 IST