Kandhamal, (Fast News Odisha): On the call of Odisha Medical Services Association (OMSA), all the health centers in Baliguda sub-district of Kandhamal district have not met the demands of the doctors working in sub-health centres, so the out-patient department (OPD) has been closed for two hours from Monday, from Monday to 11 am, which has affected patient care and other services. The decision was taken by the OMSA after the state government failed to meet the demands of doctors including promotion, salary hike and workplace safety. Meanwhile, the Junior Doctors Association has expressed its support for OMSA’s decision, warning of further agitation if their demands are not met. It is pertinent to mention that OMSA has been agitating for 10-point demands, which include promotion, salary hike and workplace safety. One hour OPD closure is observed from 26th December from 10 am to 11 pm. However, the government did not take any decision on their demands. With no other option, the central executive committee meeting of OMSA decided to increase the OPD closing time from 1 hour to 2 hours due to which patients were already facing difficulties in getting treatment. Asked a doctor at Barakhma Health Center in this regard, he said, “We have conveyed our demand to the government, and the public is also aware of the closure of the OPD. Our intention is not to inconvenience the patients, and the government will be responsible for any untoward incident.” Report by Sanjay Kumar Manigarahi from Kandhamal district, Fast News Odisha l