Doctors Across Odisha Strike for Safety After Tragic Incident in Kolkata

Healthcare services in Odisha were severely disrupted as junior and senior resident doctors from various medical colleges joined a nationwide strike. They demand justice for a Kolkata doctor allegedly raped and murdered at a state-run hospital. The strike calls for a central Act to ensure medical safety.

Healthcare services across Odisha faced significant disruptions on Friday as junior and senior resident doctors from numerous medical colleges participated in a nationwide strike. The demonstration was in response to the alleged rape and murder of a Kolkata doctor at a state-run hospital last week.

Doctors from institutions such as AIIMS Bhubaneswar, SCB Medical College Hospital in Cuttack, and MKCG Medical College Hospital in Berhampur joined the protest. Their key demand includes the implementation of a central Act to safeguard medical students and professionals.

While postgraduate doctors continued to handle emergency services, the strike led to major disruptions in outpatient departments and operating theatres. Approximately 500 doctors at AIIMS Bhubaneswar participated, affecting around 4,000 daily OPD patients. Authorities are in discussions with doctor associations to closely monitor and manage the situation.