On January 5, 2026, hundreds of doctors in Odisha government hospitals stopped outpatient services from 9 to 11 a.m. They demanded salaries under the Central pay structure. The Odisha Medical Services Association (OMSA) said patient care was affected and warned the public health system could worsen without government action. OMSA president Kishore Chandra Mishra said, "Governments in nearly 20 states have started paying their doctors’ salaries in line with the Central pay structure. The Dynamic Assured Career Progression (DACP) scheme has also been implemented in several states. However, successive governments in Odisha, including the previous Naveen Patnaik government, used delaying tactics and avoided granting doctors the salary structure they are entitled to." Dr. Mishra added, "Disheartened by the low salary structure, government doctors are switching to the private sector, pushing the public health system towards a crisis. We have held talks with the Government five to six times, but it has become evident that there is no serious intent to address our demands." More than 6,000 doctors from 32 hospitals, 300 community health centres, and primary health centres are part of the strike. The OMSA plans a meeting on January 15 to decide further action. "If the Government remains adamant, doctors would be forced to take stringent steps," Mishra warned. OMSA's demands include pay parity, career progression, cadre restructuring, and workplace safety. Central to this is implementing the DACP scheme aligned to the Central pay structure without conditions and removing Level 15 for doctors as done for other Class-I officers. They also want cadre restructuring across grades, extra incentives for specialists, post-mortem allowances, and parity in performance-based incentives. OMSA seeks these benefits also for dental cadres. Beyond pay, OMSA stresses manpower shortages, service conditions, and safety. They ask for a three-year exit policy in tough regions, regular recruitment through the Odisha Public Service Commission, and timely promotions. They also want a new Capital Hospital-II for Odisha Medical Health Services in Bhubaneswar. For safety, OMSA demands strict Odisha Medicare Act enforcement, non-bailable provisions for offenders, 24/7 armed security, and police outposts in hospitals. OMSA requests regularisation of ad hoc doctors, recognition of their service for benefits, and health insurance coverage for all healthcare workers.