Bhubaneswar: The healthcare services were majorly affected today across Odisha due to 24-hour ceasework strike called by All Odisha Private Medical Establishment Forum (AOPMEF).

All the medical practitioners of private hospitals and clinic staged demonstration demanding amendment of Odisha Clinical Establishments Act, 1990.

The private hospitals, clinics, pathology labs and diagnostic centres remained closed today from 6.00 am to put pressure on the government to meet their demands.

However, the treatment of patients admitted to various private hospitals will continue. There will be no admission of the patients to the hospitals and surgeries during 24-hour strike, said a member of the AOPMEF.

The ceasework strike will continue till 6.00 am tomorrow on Saturday.

The AOPMEF said that the Odisha Clinical Establishment Act, 1990 was a hindrance for easy registration and renewal of private health facilities in the State.

Forum’s vice-president Dr Jagannath Mohapatra alleged that even though they had apprised the government about the matter way back in 2014 no action has been taken so far.