Government doctors in Odisha, operating under the banner of the Odisha Medical Services Association (OMSA), initiated a two-hour daily boycott of Outpatient Department (OPD) services across the state starting January 5, 2026. This action represents an escalation from an earlier one-hour boycott that commenced on December 26, 2025. The core demands of the protesting doctors include the implementation of salaries and service conditions comparable to the Central government pay structure, specifically referencing the Dynamic Assured Career Progression (DACP) scheme and the elimination of Level-15 for doctors. Additionally, they advocate for proportionate cadre restructuring, enhanced incentives for specialists, and the urgent filling of over 50% vacant positions within the state's public healthcare system. The widespread protest, engaging more than 6,000 doctors from 32 district headquarters hospitals, 300 community health centres, and various primary health facilities, has led to significant disruptions in routine patient care. In response to the escalating situation, the Odisha government, under Chief Minister Mohan Majhi, invoked the Essential Services (Maintenance) Act (ESMA) on January 6, 2026. This legislative measure prohibits any form of cessation of work by medical professionals, including doctors, nurses, paramedics, and other healthcare staff, within government and grant-in-aid health institutions for a period of six months. Despite the invocation of ESMA and direct appeals from Health Minister Mukesh Mahaling, the doctors have steadfastly continued their two-hour OPD boycott. They have rejected the government's proposal for an inter-departmental committee to review their demands, insisting instead on a written assurance for resolution. OMSA president Kishore Chandra Mishra clarified that while the boycott impacts OPD services, emergency care, inpatient treatment, and surgeries remain operational. The ongoing standoff underscores a critical dispute between the medical community and the state administration over long-standing grievances affecting public health services in Odisha.