Bhubaneswar: Health services across Odisha were affected on Wednesday as government doctors launched an indefinite strike under the banner of the Odisha Medical Services Association (OMSA), pressing the state government to fulfil their 10-point charter of demands.

Doctors working in government hospitals suspended services and staged demonstrations outside hospitals in Bhubaneswar, Cuttack and other parts of the state. 

According to OMSA, the decision to go ahead with the indefinite strike was taken after the state government allegedly failed to address the association's demands over the past one and a half years.

The association had earlier announced that the strike would begin on July 1, which is observed as Doctors' Day. Ahead of the agitation, the state government held discussions with OMSA representatives in an effort to avert the strike. However, the doctors decided to continue with their protest, saying that they lacked confidence in the government's assurances.

An emergency meeting of the OMSA Action Committee was held late on Tuesday night, where the association reaffirmed its earlier decision to proceed with the strike. OMSA President Dr. Kishore Mishra and General Secretary Dr. Sanjeeb Pradhan said the government-appointed committee formed to resolve the doctors' grievances had failed to convene a meeting, prompting the association to continue its agitation.

The association also warned that if the government initiates any action against protesting doctors, OMSA will first stage demonstrations outside district SP offices and local police stations. It further threatened to intensify the agitation through a jail-bharo movement.

Meanwhile, the Junior Doctors' Association (JDA) of SCB Medical College and Hospital in Cuttack has extended support to the OMSA strike. The junior doctors have decided to wear black badges while performing their duties and urged the government to immediately address the doctors' demands. The JDA warned that it would intensify its protest if the issues remain unresolved.