Contract employees, primarily attendants, at the Acharya Harihar Post Graduate Institute of Cancer (AHPGIC), also known as Acharya Harihar Cancer Hospital in Cuttack, have once again launched a work-stoppage protest demanding the release of their pending salaries.
The agitation, which involves over 200 outsourced attendants, intensified on Wednesday evening after authorities failed to fulfil a promise to disburse salaries by the end of the day. Employees reported that they were assured payment in the evening, but when it did not materialise, they resumed their dharna (sit-in protest) amid dropping temperatures.
“No salary, no work,” chanted the protesting workers, highlighting their frustration over delays spanning more than one and a half months. The strike has disrupted routine patient care services at the regional cancer centre, one of Odisha’s key facilities for cancer treatment and research.
Hospital sources indicate that the contractual staff, engaged through outsourcing agencies, have been facing recurring salary delays. Similar protests erupted earlier this week, briefly halting services before temporary assurances led to a pause in the agitation.
Patients and their families have expressed concern over the disruptions, with many relying on the hospital for critical oncology care. Hospital administration has yet to issue an official statement on the latest developments, but efforts are reportedly underway to resolve the payment issues.
The Acharya Harihar Cancer Hospital, established as an autonomous institution in 1984, serves as a major referral centre for cancer patients across Odisha and neighbouring states. Recurring agitations by contractual staff over wage delays and job regularisation have been a point of contention in recent years.
Authorities are urged to address the grievances promptly to restore normal operations and ensure uninterrupted care for patients battling cancer.
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