BHUBANESWAR: The Odisha Medical Service Association (OMSA) has issued a warning that a demonstration against the state government's alleged "dilatoriness" in implementing a promotion programme for doctors will start on February 1. 

Medical Service Association president Dr Narayan Rout and general secretary Dr Biswajit Samal said  Doctors across the state have always backed the administration and taken significant risks during the COVID-19 pandemic. Numerous doctors working for the government have expressed frustration that their "legitimate demand" for the Dynamic Assured Career Progression (DACP) has not been realised. After the Centre introduced it in 2006, states like Bihar implemented the programme, said Dr. Rout.

The DACP assures a time-bound promotion for doctors. Dr. Rout said, the OMSA members will start by donning black badges on February 1 and then go on a relay strike before determining whether to continue with a cease-work agitation.  "We are hopeful that the government would take into account our sincere demands, which also involve regularising ad-hoc doctors. In a news release, the OMSA said that after several rounds meetings with the state government, nothing had been done to satisfy the demands, he said.

The association is also calling for the policy that requires doctors to work in the unincorporated Kalahandi-Bolangir-Koraput region for a predetermined amount of time before retiring to be scrapped. The OMSA claimed that because the FIH Men's Hockey World Cup was taking place in the state in January, it decided not to cause a stir.

However, the doctors will start a statewide uprising on February 1 following the conclusion of the big event on January 29 if the government does not act to satisfy their demands, the OMSA said.

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