Bhubaneswar, April 18 (Inditop.com) Medical services were partially hit in Orissa after government doctors went on an indefinite strike Sunday demanding implementation of a scheme that ensures time-bound promotions.
“There was no major disruption of medical services in the districts. In 8-10 districts, there was a hundred percent attendance of doctors. In some districts, it was 60 percent. But in Balasore and Rayagada districts, less number of doctors reported for duty,” state Health Secretary Suresh Mohapatra told reporters after a review meet.
The Orissa Medical Services Association (OMSA) went on the strike demanding implementation of the Dynamic Assured Career Progression (DACP) scheme for time-bound promotions.
The state government had Saturday threatened to impose the Essential Services Maintenance Act (ESMA) and cancel the registration of government doctors if they went ahead with the strike Sunday. It also called the doctors for talks but the representatives of the association did not turn up for the meeting.
The state government Sunday reiterated its threat to initiate punitive action against the striking doctors.
“We have sought details of those doctors who have not reported for duty. We will take disciplinary and criminal action against them,” Mohapatra said.
Meanwhile, reports reaching here said that in Keonjhar district, a patient named Kalicharan Nayak died allegedly after remaining unattended for several hours.
The state government has made contingency plans and deployed additional doctors from private sector, besides cancelling the leave of many doctors.
“We have rushed specialist doctors to those districts where less number of doctors reported for duties. We are also constantly in touch with district collectors to requisition doctors from private nursing homes and neighbouring states if necessary,” Mohapatra added.
Health services in the state capital, however, remained normal though some doctors did not turn up for work.
The strike was called after the state government transferred 159 doctors, including the office bearers of OMSA. The association deems it as a ‘punitive measure’ to scuttle their demand.
