Private hospitals in Odisha to remain shut tomorrow

Bhubaneswar: Private hospitals in the State will remain closed from 6 am tomorrow till 6 am on Saturday on a 24-hour ceasework demanding an amendment to the Odisha Clinical Establishment Act, 1990.

All private clinics and diagnostic centres will also remain closed during the 24-hour-long strike. Over 2,000 private clinics,diagnostic centres and hospitals across the State will be taking part in the strike.

However, treatment of in-patients would continue.

The decision for the 24-hour-long strike was taken by the All Odisha Private Medical Establishment Forum (AOPMEF) during a meeting at the IMA Institute here on Sunday.

The AOPMEF is of the view 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.

Meanwhile, the Health department has directed all government hospitals to remain on alert to meet any emergency situation in the backdrop of the 24-hour strike call by private hospitals.