Government doctors in Odisha, under the banner of the Odisha Medical Services Association (OMSA), have announced plans to suspend outpatient department (OPD) services from December 26, warning that they may resort to mass resignations if the state government fails to address their long-standing demands.
According to OMSA, doctors will halt OPD services for at least one hour daily and suspend work related to the National Health Mission (NHM) starting December 26, 2025. The association said the protest could escalate into a complete strike in January 2026 if no resolution is reached.
Doctors stated that they have been waiting for over a decade for their demands to be fulfilled, but the government has not taken any concrete action. As a mark of protest against what they described as repeated “false assurances,” OMSA members will begin limited service disruptions, with the possibility of intensifying the agitation in the coming days.
OMSA, which represents government doctors across the state, has warned of a statewide strike from January 2026 if their concerns remain unaddressed by the end of December. The association said doctors would stop attending OPDs and fully withdraw services if the government continues to ignore their demands.
The association’s primary demand is the immediate implementation of the Dynamic Assured Career Progression (DACP) system, which provides time-bound promotions for government doctors. Other key demands include a KBK exit policy, transparent transfer mechanisms, cadre restructuring, regular departmental promotion committees (DPCs), improved safety and security for healthcare workers, health insurance coverage, and better basic amenities.
In addition, doctors have called for reforms in performance appraisal reports (PAR), uniformity in OPD and emergency services, cleaner administration, and OMSA’s involvement in policy-level consultations. Issues such as strengthening medical institutions, revising allowances, regularising ad-hoc doctors, improving Capital Hospital facilities, and ensuring justice for retired doctors were also highlighted.
OMSA expressed dissatisfaction over what it described as the unfair treatment of doctors despite their years of education, experience, and service in government hospitals.
OMSA State President Dr Kishore Chandra Misra criticised the state government’s approach, saying doctors are treated as inferior to political leaders, engineers and even school teachers. “There are no promotions, no cadre restructuring and no career progression for doctors. We should not be treated like second-class employees,” he said.
Dr Misra further pointed out that while the government often seeks treatment in private hospitals using public funds, it shows little concern for doctors serving patients in state-run hospitals. He added that the demand for DACP has been pending for nearly 15 years, with authorities repeatedly stating that it is “under consideration.”
“How long are doctors expected to wait?” he asked, warning that continued inaction could force the association to intensify protests, including mass resignations.