Doctors Stage Protest on National Doctors’ Day in Nuapada, Press for OMSA’s Eight-Point Charter of Demands

Nuapada: 01/07 While the nation celebrated National Doctors’ Day on Tuesday, a contrasting scene unfolded at the District Headquarters Hospital (DHH) in Nuapada. Instead of commemorating the occasion with celebrations, doctors gathered in a peaceful sit-in protest, demanding justice, security, and professional dignity. Responding to the statewide call given by the Odisha Medical Services Association (OMSA), doctors in the district jointly urged the State Government to fulfil their eight-point charter of demands. Carrying the slogan “Together for Fairness & Respect,” the protesting doctors stated that although patient care remains their foremost responsibility, several long-pending and legitimate service-related issues have remained unresolved for years. They expressed concern over inadequate security at healthcare institutions, delayed career progression, salary-related issues, and other service benefits. OMSA has submitted an eight-point charter of demands to the State Government. The key demands include implementation of the Central Dynamic Assured Career Progression (DACP) scheme for all doctors, including the dental cadre; enhancement of salaries for contractual doctors; regularisation of ad hoc doctors; restructuring of the medical cadre; approval of specialist incentive benefits; early resolution of pension-related issues; administrative reforms, including the abolition of Level-15; and strengthening security arrangements in all government hospitals to ensure the safety of doctors and healthcare staff. The protesting doctors reiterated that their commitment to patient care remains unwavering. However, they said that repeated incidents of attacks on doctors, an unsafe working environment, and unresolved service grievances had compelled them to launch the agitation. They particularly stressed the urgent need for effective security measures in hospitals to safeguard medical professionals and other healthcare workers. OMSA representatives warned that if the State Government fails to take prompt and positive action on their eight legitimate demands, the peaceful agitation could intensify across Odisha in the coming days. They observed that doctors being forced to protest on National Doctors’ Day itself raises serious questions about the prevailing healthcare administration and the government’s response to the concerns of medical professionals.