Bhubaneswar: The state government has adopted a stern posture on the ongoing doctors’ strike and has announced a stringent measure for the doctors who have boycotted their duties.As part of the decision, salaries of the The Odisha Medical and Health Services (OMHS) cadre doctors who are protesting will be stopped.In another significant development, the state has decided to send notices to contractual doctors and in case they fail to join their duties they might be terminated from their jobs.According to a press note released by the Health and Family Welfare Department, members of OMSA and many contractual doctors boycotted their duties and are staging protest.This has affected the services of patients and people of Odisha, says the press note.Meanwhile, the state government’s move has also cited violation of Odisha Essential Services Maintenance Act, 1988 (ESMA) which is still in force in Odisha.Besides this, the government said the omission from duties by OMHS cadre doctors is serious misconduct and violation of Odisha Government Servants’ Conduct Rules, 1959.“All concerned authorities i.e., MD NHM, MD OSMCL, all Deans & Superintendents of Medical Colleges, all CDM & PHOs of the state are requested to take necessary actions immediately as per the instructions,” mentioned the Health Department.As health services are being disrupted in several parts of Odisha and patients are facing immense hardship to get timely medical services, such a step is being taken by the state.
Odisha govt cracks down on doctors’ strike, orders salary freeze for protesting doctors
