In the video, the man can be seen sitting on a motor cycle and taking Rs 20,000 bribe and documents from a youth promising him a job at the premier health institute.
“I will give appointment to two people including you. Have you given the full amount? I cannot count the cash now,” the man can be heard saying in the viral video.
Though from the video it is clear that the incident took place on premises of the government-run hospital, no complaint in this regard has been lodged yet.
While talks about irregularities in medical attendant recruitment through outsourcing agencies are rife, it is believed that the youth might have offered bribe to get a same post in the hospital.
The relative further claimed, “After cancer report came, the patient had to undergo another operation at Acharya Harihar Regional Cancer Centre. Also, she had got one of her body parts amputated as part of treatment. She also underwent chemotherapy. However, the doctor treating the patient raised doubt about the pathology report and asked to carry out the test again. It was then the Pathology department gave a revised report saying negative had become in the report issued by the department as part of human error. By the time the Pathology department came up with rectified report, the woman had already lost one of her body parts.”
Meanwhile, the hospital authorities have started a probe into it to ascertain the veracity of the allegations.
Complainant Saritdip Tripathy said, “We conducted a test outside the hospital which came cancer negative. When we showed the report to the concerned doctor he said the patient has no cancer germs. He asked us to show the correct report to continue the treatment. So, we again went to SCB Pathology department and showed the report asking them to provide us a right report so that we can continue the chemotherapy treatment process. They went inside the department and after some time they made a revelation that your mother is not suffering from cancer. By the time they made this statement my mother had undergone chemotherapy thrice and lost one of her body parts.”
Head of Pathology department Liti Mohanty said, “We had received a tumour tissue which was two centimetre in size. As per treatment procedure, we had divided it into three slides out of which one slide report came cancer positive. Accordingly, the patient was given treatment. Out of two remaining slides one slide was given for review which was cancer negative. Though the report came cancer negative, we cannot deny the fact that cancer cell is there in the patient’s body. There must be some miscommunication. The patient should talk to senior doctor to clear her doubt. We should leave it at the point that the patient has cancer and she was given the right treatment.”
“It’s true that the patient is cancer positive. Still, we have sought a detailed report from the HOD Pathology,” said SCB administrative officer.
According to sources, Dhenkanal-based Hemant Mishra’s wife Chhabi Mohanty was admitted to Badachana Community Health Centre after she felt unwell. She was later shifted to SCB Medical College and Hospital in Cuttack when her condition deteriorated. Chhabi, however, died while undergoing treatment at SCB.
When her body was being carried to her residence in an ambulance, its driver reportedly demanded Rs 5,000 for the purpose. Hemant gave Rs 3,000 instead of Rs 5,000 to the ambulance driver expressing his incapacity to give the said amount. An infuriated ambulance driver then left the place leaving the body on National Highway at Chhatia to rot overnight.
Later, Hemant performed the last rites of his wife with the help of local residents.
As per reports, the resident doctors stopped their services at most departments in support of the nation-wide movement. However, essential services were reportedly rendered to the patients at the hospital.
The doctors stationed at the ward had then proceeded to use torch lights on their mobile phones & continued treatment for almost 20 minutes. The power cut in a critical ward such as casualty triggered raised concerns. Hospital authorities responded saying that due to a technical error in the back-up machine, the electricity could not be restored.
Authorities said that power supply was restored as soon as possible after undertaking repair work.
“He was admitted to the Rayagada district headquarters hospital due to fever earlier and was later transferred to dengue-positive ward in Berhampur. After his condition worsened, doctors referred him to SCB where he died today at 3 AM while undergoing treatment,” said the brother of the deceased.
The dead body will be handed over to the family members after autopsy, informed sources.
Cash shortage at ATMs has resulted in a crisis in SCB Medical College and Hospital, Cuttack where people depend on a single ATM on the premises.
"I need to buy medicines but I am unable to get money even after trying four ATMs. It has put us in trouble," said an attendant of a patient at the hospital.
"In a medical campus, ATM is a necessity and it must have cash as people here need money on an urgent basis. Cash crunch is adding to our woes," said another attendant.
Similarly in Bolangir, things are no different as people have to stand in long queues in front of the ATMs.
"I don't have a penny to buy food. The situation is getting worse," said a local.
"We have to stand in long queues to withdraw cash, but often we are disappointed as ATMs run dry," lamented another local.
Meanwhile, BJP's national spokesperson Nalin Kohli told OTV that the country has no cash problems and the situation will be brought under control soon.
"The country has enough cash and there is no cash crunch. Even Finance Minister Arun Jaitly has clarified about it. He has also assured that within a period of three days, the problem will be solved," Kohli said.
It is believed that the use of Rs 2,000 notes, in particular, is causing the problem as money is being hoarded by political parties in Rs 2,000 denominations for the upcoming 2019 general elections. Several bank officials have also said that a lot of Rs 2,000-rupee notes are not coming back to banks.
President of the association of junior doctors, Rajesh Kumar Sahoo informed mediapersons about the decision that was taken at the general council meeting. The junior doctors were on a cease-stir for the past 9 days demanding suspension of Hota accusing him of metal & physical harassment.
Meanwhile, the Odisha Medical Teachers' Association (OMTA) condemned the transfer of Hota and urged the State government to reconsider its decision.
OMTA president Bipin Bihari Pradhan said the transfer decision is one-sided and an inquiry should be carried out.
Accusing Hota of torturing them mentally and physically, the junior doctors had resorted to cease-work agitation demanding his suspension. Extending their support to the strike, the house surgeons and senior resident doctors of the leading medical college had also taken leave en masse.
The injured, identified as Sujata Pradhan, sons Bibek Pradhan and Ranjan Pradhan were rushed to the Dharmasala hospital and later shifted to the SCB Medical College and Hospital for treatment.
The incident occurred when jawan Maheswar Das waylaid Khirod Pradhan, who was on his way to his farmland and started abusing him using filthy language.
Hearing the ruckus, Khirod's wife Sujata and sons Bibek and Ranjan came out of their house. Seeing the trio at the spot, the jawan got furious and fired shots at them from his airgun.
Sujata who sustained injuries on her head, said, "Before we could figure out anything, Maheswar fired from his airgun."
Later, police reached the spot and arrested jawan Maheswar before seizing his firearm.
Meanwhile, doctor Manas Ranjan Swain said, "The trio have been referred to SCB hospital for better treatment."
https://youtu.be/PMU4MONUqQY
Cuttack: The Bharatiya Janata Yuva Morcha (BJYM), the youth wing of the BJP, today staged demonstration here at CDA and Jobra barrage ahead of Odisha CM Naveen Patnaik's visit to the city.
Hundreds of BJYM activists were protesting with black flags and bangles at the CDA and Jobra barrage. The party activists also hurled eggs on the police vehicles at Jobra barrage when the men in uniform tried to control the situation.
Police have detained over 50 activists of the youth wing.
However, the CM reached the SCB Medical College and Hospital complex and inaugurated the new building, hostel and auditorium of the Nursing College. He is also scheduled to inaugurate an urban community healthcare centre at CDA and an LED project in the district.
The BJP's youth wing alleged that even though the LED project was funded by the Centre, no BJP leaders have been invited to the inauguration.
Earlier on Friday, the BJP activists had carried out a rally protesting the BJD’s callous attitude for not inviting any BJP leader to the function.
https://youtu.be/QTM_odfZOFI
As per medical sources, a seven-member special team of doctors, including anaesthesia, medicine and heart specialists, has been constituted for her treatment.
The team is led by Prabhat Kumar Padhi, HoD of Geriatric Medicine at SCB.
On November 18, the survivor was admitted at Saheed Laxman Nayak Medical College in Koraput, after she started vomiting continuously at the Tribal Welfare (TRW) School in Kotapad where she was being looked after by the District Child Welfare Committee (CWC).
But as her health condition did not improve, she was shifted to SCB Medical College on the same night.
"As per my knowledge she consumed iron tablets in a suicide attempt due to which she started vomiting blood. The team will conduct her endoscopy to ascertain the extent of damage. Her condition is still worrisome," said superintendent of SCB, Shyama Kanungo.
https://youtu.be/xcZlGIhPnzM
It has been alleged that Biswal is faking illness to avoid jail custody, after being arrested by CBI on September 18 for his alleged links with tainted chit fund firm Seashore Group of Companies.
The petitioner Sudhansu Sekhar Parida claimed that the MLA got himself admitted in SCB by using his political powers and is leading a comfortable life in the presence of his party men and family members. The petition also seeks health examination of Biswal by AIIMS doctors to verify his health condition.
Demanding a proper probe of the issue, Parida's advocate Kshirod Rout said the Director of Health or the SCB authorities should be duly punished if any discrepancies come to the fore.
Immediately after Biswal’s arrest in September, the CBI was granted a five day remand of the MLA. But as he complained of illness, Biswal was admitted to Capital Hospital in Bhubaneswar and on September 25 was shifted to SCB after his condition deteriorated. The MLA is staying in the hospital since then.
A team of Mangalabag police today recorded statements of the student under Section 161 of Indian Penal Code (IPC).
Earlier on Monday, a case was registered against the dental department’s associate professor Niranjan Mishra and senior resident Krishan Gopal Birmiwal under sections 354, 354 A, 294, 506 and 34 of the IPC for allegedly making sexual advances against the wish of the student.
The girl, who hails from Uttarakhand on Monday, had lodged an FIR at the police station accusing both Mishra and Birmiwal of making advances towards her with evil intentions and warning to destroy her career.
She had also levelled charges of misbehaviour against the Head of Department (HoD) when she tried to bring the matter to his notice.
https://youtu.be/_gIVk9TnY9k
A woman identified as Aarti Sahu, resident of Ramanagar village in Kendrapara district, has lodged FIR against the doctor at Manglabag police station in Cuttack.
As per the complaint, Aarti's sister-in-law Sangita is undergoing treatment at Obstetrics & Gynecology department of SCB. Aarti had called the doctor after Sangita's condition turned critical, but as she did not pay attention, Aarti tapped her shoulder to which the doctor reacted by scolding and beating her.
Talking to media persons, Aarti said, "As she did not pay attention to my call I tapped on her body and requested to see the patient after which she suddenly slapped me three to four times."
Authorities of the medical college are silent on the issue.
https://youtu.be/T3KtbuTFAiQ
Ajay had a dispute with one Indramani of same village over some monetary transaction. He had been demanding the amount since long and had an altercation with Indramani on Friday. In a fit of rage, Indramani shot him with an arrow.
According to the doctors attending him, the intestine of Ajay sustained grievous injuries. After arriving in the hospital, he vomited. However, after primary treatment, he was shifted to SCB Medical College and Hospital in Cuttack in a critical condition.
“We suspect internal injuries in stomach and abdomen. We referred him to Cuttack after administering first-aid,” doctor Nihar Parida of Karanjia health centre said.
The authorities informed they have accepted all the demands of the PG doctors’ association.
The hospital authorities said there will be a coordination meeting on fourth Thursday of every month, which would discuss various issues of doctors and accordingly measures will be taken to sort out their problems. In addition, three platoons of police will be deployed on the hospital premises to ensure full proof security for working doctors.
Meanwhile, the patients and their relatives at the SCB hospital have breathed a great sigh of relief after the withdrawal of cease work.
The junior doctors were on cease-work agitation since Tuesday demanding strict action against the attendant of a patient for allegedly attacking a doctor on duty.
In a letter to the heads of SCB Medical College and Hospital, Cuttack, MKCG Medical College, Berhampur, VIMSAR, Burla, SCB Dental College, Cuttack, AHRCC, Cuttack and SVPPGIP, Cuttack, the DMET has directed to ask the department heads and professors to refrain from such activities.
It is alleged that, the medicos are being forced by their professors and head of departments to do their household works including bringing grocery, cooking and teaching their children. A copy of the DMET’s letter to the heads of institutions, possessed by OTV says, in many cases the doctors are forced to arrange soft and hard drinks, and arrange celebrations like marriage and birthday parties of their professors.
The medical students have also alleged that instead of guidance, many a times they are scolded by the heads and sometimes, during examinations they are also made to pay hospitality cost of the examiners like lodging cost, food, site seeing and costly gifts.
Mentioning the allegations as ‘grievous in nature’, the DMET has directed the institute heads to initiate ‘legal actions as deemed fit’ against any such faculty, if found to be indulged in such activities directly or indirectly.
“We have received certain allegations which are not related to their studies or profession. To ensure that such type of actions should not happen, we have sought a feedback report from the heads of the medical institutions,” said DMET joint director Umakant Satapathy.
Meanwhile, the Health Department realising gravity of the issue has also asked the DMET to take action against the ‘errant’ professors or heads of departments. It has sought an enquiry report from the DMET.
“If true, the allegations are very serious and it should be stopped. We have asked the DMET to submit a report within seven days,” said Surjit Das, additional secretary, Department of Health.
A senior official informed that this was the fourth year inspection of the team mainly to verify the compliance report earlier submitted by the SCB authorities after MCI had pointed out some deficiencies during their last inspection held in 2016.
Earlier, MCI had pointed out shortage of lecture theatre, examination hall, hostels and lack of adequate casualty medical officers keeping in view the 250 MBBS seats that were hiked from 150 seats five years back.
“The team had to verify infrastructure and other developments as per the compliance report submitted by us, “said SCB Administrative Officer Pratap Mishra.
The MCI team held discussion with senior officials of the hospital and also verified the faculty position, equipment as well as other facilities here.
Official sources said, SCB Medical has already complied with majority of the deficiencies pointed out by the MCI team in August 2016 as the work for the construction of a four storied new academic block with six class rooms, two lecture theatres, two auditoriums and a library in 4,500 sqft of land has been completed.
Reports said 76 persons of ward number 8, 9 and 10 have been identified with jaundice and admitted to SCB Medical College and Hospital.
To take stock of the situation, Cuttack collector Nirmal Chandra Mishra and Cuttack-Barabati MLA Debasis Samantray went round the affected areas today.
Also Read: Jaundice outbreak in Bhubaneswar; over 80 affected
Talking to media persons later, Mishra said instructions have been given to the Public Health (PH) department to check their pipe lines, service connection lines and main distribution line and collect sample water. “I have asked the chief district medical officer (CDMO) and the PH department officials to collect at least 10-20 water samples from several points in one area of the city everyday and send them for test in separate laboratories. Both the CDMO and the PH department will submit separate reports about the condition of the drinking water after the test,” he added.
Meanwhile, the authorities of the SCB Medical College and the City Hospital have taken specific measures for treatment of jaundice patients.
Anticipating more patients as the water borne disease is most likely to spread further, the hospital authorities have put up more beds, reports added.
Harekrushna Sahoo of Meramundali in Dhenkanal district fell sick during 1600 metre running test for the police recruitment on Sunday. He was immediately admitted to SCB Medical College and Hospital and later shifted to a private hospital for better treatment where he died.
Mother and sister of the deceased job seeker alleged that the recruitment authorities delayed in shifting medical which caused his death
Samantsinghar, who is accompanied by an attendant, is now in the ICU of cardiology department of the State's premier health institute. Two police personnel are in charge of guarding him outside the ICU ward.
It is said that the superintendent of the Bhubaneswar-based leading private hospital might have planed in connivance with SCB officials for hospitalisation in a bid to evade further action.
No reaction of the SCB authorities has been received yet in this regard.
The Commissionerate Police arrested Samantsinghar along with ex-Executive Engineer Amulya Kumar Sahu (electrical maintenance), Fire Safety Officer Santosh Das and retired Junior Engineer Malay Kumar Sahu (electrical maintenance) of Sum hospital yesterday .
Their arrest on charges of criminal negligence, including culpable homicide, culpable homicide not amounting to murder, and negligence with regard to fire safety, is based on an FIR filed by Fire Services Department, Police Commissioner Y.B. Khurania said.
The Fire Services Department lodged the FIR with Khandagiri police, alleging negligence of the hospital authorities to adhere to the fire safety norms.
The Directorate of Medical Education and Training (DMET) had also lodged an FIR against them for not adhering to the fire safety norms and evacuation of patients.
However, the identity of the deceased has not yet been ascertained.
“It was the chief minister for whom the desperate Home Guard had gone to commit suicide. The chief minister, therefore, is responsible for his death. Let the chief minister apologise to the people of Odisha and take necessary steps to ensure that such unfortunate incident will never happen in future,” leader of the Opposition Narasingh Mishra told media persons today.
In his reaction, state BJP president Basant Panda said since the death of Sandip Hati is the outcome of the gross failure of the inept and comatose government, his party feels that the family of Hati needs adequate compensation and a job to one of his family members as an assured source of livelihood.
After the Hati’s death, his body was carried to his native village Haladiapada in Mahaprayana Rath. As soon as the hearse van arrived at the village, the family members did not accept the body while demanding adequate compensation and a job to one of the members.
The family members finally accepted the body after their prolonged discussion with Puri sub collector, local MLA Umakant Samantray and BJP state president Basant Panda.
While the local MLA promised Rs 3 lakh compensation to the family, the Red Cross provided Rs 25,000 for cremation of Hati.
The last rites of the Home Guard was performed later.
“The state government should provide a job to my daughter. How can she live without any help? How can she take care of her child?” Sarojini Samartha, mother-in-law of Hati told media persons with tears rolling down.
“My son had redressed his grievances. But the state government did not reinstate him. The Odisha government and chief minister Naveen Patnaik are responsible for the death of my son,” said Gangadhar Hati, father of the deceased.
Talking to media persons, Swapneswar Pradhan, member of Odisha State Home Guards Federation, said the government should pay a compensation of Rs 10 lakh to the family of Hati and a job to his family member to sustain their livelihood.
Contacted, Director General of Police (DGP) KB Singh said the family of Hati has been provided Rs 25,000 for his cremation. “Efforts are being made to provide job to one of his family members”, he added.
Singh also informed that the Bhubaneswar DCP is investigating into the causes and circumstances for which Hati was terminated from his service.
It may be mentioned that a scuffle had ensued between the police and the members of the Odisha State Home Guards Federation in Bhubaneswar on March 22, 2013 while the Federation was on a civil disobedience agitation.
After this incident, the state government had retrenched 76 Home Guards including Hati. After losing his job and unable to maintain his family, he had redressed his grievances to the government but to no avail. Finding no other alternative, he tried to commit suicide after setting himself on fire near Naveen Niwas in the night on September 2.
The deceased has been identified as Sukramani Sandil of Colony No-3 of Barbil Municipality.
Sources in the hospital said Sukramani was admitted to the CHC a couple of days ago in a critical condition. She showed no signs of recovery despite treatment by the doctors, they said.
Her condition deteriorated further today and he died late in the afternoon, family sources said.
Dr Kabindra Prasad Sahu, Chief District Medical Officer (CDMO), informed that of the 706 blood samples tested so far, 246 have turned out positive.
Confirming the death of a patient in Barbil CHC, he said till date, a total of 19 patients, including adults and the children, have been admitted to the district headquarters hospital while 15 patients have been admitted in the Barbil Community Health Centre (CHC).
Meanwhile, panic has gripped Cuttack city as the vector-borne disease has spread to areas other than Jagatpur.
While 21 patients have been admitted to SCB Medical College and Hospital, one of whom had to be admitted in the ICU after his condition became critical.
In Jagatpur Industrial Estate area on the outskirts of the city, the number of dengue patients went up to 25 after a patient tested positive today.
To take stock of the situation, the Odisha Industries Association had a meeting presided over by district collector Nirmal Chandra Mishra in Jagatpur Industrial Estate earlier in the day.
Talking to media persons after the meeting, Mishra said keeping the outbreak of dengue in Jagatpur Industrial Estate in 2013 in mind, a team of doctors of the State Entomology department had visited the industrial estate areas about three weeks back to study the sanitation and cleanliness of the whole area and found traces of Aedes mosquitoes, which cause dengue.
The purpose of the meeting was to sensitise the industries to keep their environment clean and identify persons afflicted with dengue and admit them to the hospital.
Asked about the situation in the city, he said the Health department has taken all steps to stop the disease from spreading to other localities.
Chief District Medical Officer, Cuttack, Prafulla Behera said special arrangements have been made in the SCB Medical College to accommodate more patients.
He further said special measures are being taken in the Jagatpur area where people have been identified as dengue patients in large numbers.
Reports from Keonjhar district said the situation in the mining area of Barbil has become critical with the rise in number of patients.
Dr Kabindra Prasad Sahu, Chief District Medical Officer (CDMO), informed that of the 706 blood samples tested so far, 246 have turned out positive.
“There has been no death of any patient so far. There have been four referral cases. But I have come to know from the news channels that six patients from the district have been referred to the SCB Medical College and Hospital in Cuttack. I think the two patients might be from Barbil, who have been directly admitted to the medical college,” Das added.
He said till date, a total of 19 patients, including adults and the children, have been admitted to the district headquarters hospital while 15 patients have been admitted in the Barbil Community Health Centre (CHC). “The condition of all the patients is stable now,” he informed.
Talking about preventive measures taken by the Health department, Sahu said cleaning and sanitation work has been taken up in Keonjhar, Barbil and Joda. “The Health department has also launched an awareness campaign to apprise the people of the preventive measures against the vector-borne disease,” he added.
Reports from Cuttack said 21 patients have been admitted to SCB Medical College of which one patient has been admitted in the ICU after his condition has become critical.
Panic has gripped Jagatpur Industrial Estate area on the outskirts of the city as the number of patients there went up to 24 by this morning.
To take stock of the situation, the Odisha Industries Association held a meeting presided over by district collector Nirmal Chandra Mishra in Jagatpur Industrial Estate later in the day.
Talking to media persons after the meeting, Abani Kanungo, president of the Association said nearly 7000-8000 workers are working in about 1000 micro, medium and small industries in Jagatpur Industrial Estate and new Industrial Estate Phase-I and II.
He said the Association has asked all industries to clean rags from their premises and take steps to flush out stagnant water. But he said the focus would be on cleaning the outer areas of these industries which are littered with empty bottles, left-out tyres and other worn out machinery filled with water, which is ideal breeding place for the Aedes mosquito,” he pointed out.
The collector said keeping the outbreak of dengue in Jagatpur Industrial Estate in 2013, a team of doctors of the State Entomology had visited the industrial estate areas about three weeks back to study the sanitation and cleanliness of the whole area and found traces of Aedes mosquitoes.
He also informed that some people of this area have been affected by dengue since January.
The purpose of the meeting was to sensitise the industries to keep their environment clean and identify persons afflicted with dengue and admit them to the hospital.
Asked about the situation in the city, he said the Health department has taken all steps to stop the disease from spreading to other localities.
To a question that 32 patients have been identified in the city till this morning, Mishra said he has no such reports.
But he said it anyone is found suffering from dengue as per the blood sample test, the administration would take care of his/her treatment without delay.
Parents of Tazeen Parween alleged that their daughter has been infected with Hepatitis C, caused due to the blood transfusion at Balasore district headquarters hospital.
“Since my daughter is suffering from Thalassemia, we visit SCB Medical College and Hospital in Cuttack every six months to get the blood test of our daughter done after the blood is transfused to her at the Balasore district headquarters hospital. Every time we get the blood from the government Blood Bank. In May, the blood test report of my daughter at SCB medical college revealed that she has been infected with Hepatitis C,” Sheikh Sujid Alam said.
“When we asked the doctors at the Cuttack hospital regarding this, they said that it is due to the infected blood the baby has received during last transfusion,” Alam stated with a broken heart.
Meanwhile, authorities at Balasore hospital have sent the blood sample of Parween to New Delhi for further test.
After getting a complaint from Alam’s parents, Balasore Collector said that the government is waiting for the test report.
“We have received a complaint in this regard. We can comment only after receiving the report,” Pramod Kumar Das, Collector, Balasore said.
The complainant recorded her statement before Mangalabag police under Sec 161 of CrPC. Another student also recorded her statement before the police as a witness.
Prior to this, the tribal girl was taken for a medical examination.
It may be mentioned that the authorities on Thursday declared sine die and asked the students to leave the hostel by 7.30 am on Friday.
“We have vacated the hostel in deference to the government’s decision. We would be back on the agitational path after the school reopens. We feel the government has been trying to suppress our agitation,” a nursing student claimed.
Notably, the students had filed an FIR against the principal Kajal Rani Sinha at Mangalabag police station on Wednesday. The case was filed under sections 341, 331, 354, 294 of IPC and SC/ST Act.
Police later registered a case against the junior Nursing students under section 343, 323 and 34 of the Indian Penal Code (IPC).
Earlier in the day, tension prevailed in the Hospital after the hospital authorities locked the main gate of the Nursing School hostel just as the students were preparing to meet the hospital superintendent.
“The hospital authorities have asked the police not to open the main gate of the hostel. We have decided to demonstrate inside the hostel till our demands are met,” said Sabitri Majhi, a nursing student.
She also informed that during their meeting with the hospital superintendent yesterday, the Director, Nursing, present there, asked students to withdraw their agitation failing which he threatened to close the hostel for five months.
Meanwhile, supporting the ongoing agitation of the Nursing students, the All India Democratic Students’ Organisation (AIDSO) today staged a demonstration in front of the office of the SCB Superintendent. Briefing media persons, Ganesh Tripathy, vice president, AIDSO, Odisha unit, said an allegation has been levelled against the Nursing School principal for assaulting a student and using obscene language against her on May 7.
“Though five days have passed, the concerned authorities, who could have diffused the students’ unrest by taking appropriate action against the erring Principal, have not taken any steps till date. Protesting their inaction, AIDSO has supported the students’ agitation. We demand stern action against the Principal,” he said.
Condemning the repressive attitude of the hospital authorities, Tripathy said the authorities have confined the Nursing students to the hostel to suppress their agitation in gross violation of their human rights. He said the AIDSO will move the Odisha Human Rights Commission on this issue.
He also warned that the AIDSO would resort to a statewide agitation if the SCB authorities and the state government fail to give justice to the Nursing students and take action against the Principal within the next few days.
Condemning the high-handedness of the SCB authorities, particularly the Superintendent Shyam Sundar Das, a guardian told media persons that he and other parents who have come to meet their daughters are not being allowed to enter the hostel premises as its main gate has been locked by the order of the hospital authorities. The students are shouting slogans inside the hostel premises.
“The hospital authorities should take the allegations of the nursing students seriously and initiate disciplinary action against the concerned principal. In a democratic country, each person has to be given the opportunity to speak. Even a terrorist is also allowed to speak. On the contrary, the hospital authorities are trying to muzzle the voice of these nursing students by confining them inside their hostel and not allowing them to demonstrate outside. I am sure the SCB Superintendent is also involved in the incident and is trying his best to protect the erring Nursing School Principal. We the parents and guardians want that the concerned authorities should take urgent steps on this matter and restore normalcy,” he said.
Cuttack: “Sir, I want to go to college. I want to continue my studies. I want to support my poor family, which is fighting every single day and night to ensure food and medicine for us,” said Mousumi, a stammer unmistakable in her voice.
Like everyone, Mousumi also dreams of a good future. She wants to become a police officer and help out her family to fight poverty. But what distinguishes her from her peers is that unlike other boys and girls of her age, she is not ‘normal’.
The girl who appeared in the recently concluded matriculation examination cannot speak properly as she suffers from craniofacial microsomia. She can barely hear either as she has problems in the construction of her ears.
Mousumi Swain, the youngest daughter of Abhaya Kumar Swain and Sanjukta Swain, lives in a rented house at Sikharpur area. While her father Abhaya runs a small tea shop in the local market, her mother prepares nimiki and roams from one shop to another to earn some money for the treatment of her daughter.
[caption id="attachment_132308" align="alignnone" width="619"] Mousumi with her mother[/caption]
“I have two daughters and a son. My elder daughter and son have no health problems. But Mosumi, the youngest one, is suffering from craniofacial microsomia since her birth. We are unable to provide for her surgery due to our poor financial condition,” said Sanjukta, tears rolling down her cheek.
“I earn Rs 5, 000 while my husband makes no more than Rs 6,000 per month. We have to spend Rs 2,500 to Rs 3,000 just on her medicines; the rest is not enough to run a family of four members with a huge loan burden,” Sanjukta told odishatv.in.
“My daughter used to live only on chhatua which is provided free at anganwadis. But, now a days, anganwadi officials refuse to give it to her. My daughter is not getting any government assistance even though she has a handicap certificate.”
Sharing her struggle in the treatment of Mousumi, Sanjukta said, “At first, I took my daughter to a private hospital for treatment. But when the hospital authorities told me they will charge Rs 1.5 lakh for the surgery I did not know what to do. I was left with no option but to move from one relative to another to arrange some money for the treatment. But all my efforts went in vain as no one was ready to help me out,” Sanjukta said. “Finding no other option, I went to SCB Medical and College hospital. But the scene was the same there. No one came forward to help my daughter,” she rued.
“Once I went to SCB medical college with my daughter to meet a doctor. I had only Rs 50 with me. I paid Rs 40 to the auto rickshaw driver as fare and was left with only Rs 10. While returning in the evening, my daughter asked me for a biscuit packet as she was hungry. But I could not provide her even that. I could not even offer her a water pouch as I had no money left with me to pay for the fare to return home.”
“One month ago, I and my husband met the district collector and brought the issue to his notice. The collector promised to provide free treatment to my daughter at the government-run hospital. The collector wrote a letter to the hospital authorities and assured us to provide us Rs 1.5 lakh from the Odisha state treatment fund,” Sanjukta revealed.
“After the intervention of the collector, the medical authorities have asked me to admit my daughter at the hospital on May 17. If the government aid is not sufficient for the treatment of my daughter, I am ready to sell one of my kidneys,” Sanjukta stated.
Meanwhile, smile has managed to find a place on the lips of Mousumi after the assurance form the district administration to provide her free treatment. She is confident now that she will finally be cured of her prolonged abnormality. She will go to college with a new look and live her all dreams to the fullest.
"Apart from the squads, 20 police personnel have also been engaged. CCTV footages of Sambalpur railway station are being verified. All the police stations in the district besides neighbouring districts have been alerted," Additional Superintendent of Police DR Ray said today.
The photograph of the suspected woman has been uploaded in the district portal and provided to the crime branch, Ray said.
Parents of the newborn, who was stolen from the gynaecology ward of Sambalpur District Headquarter Hospital, have refused to leave the hospital premises without the baby.
Aniruddha Majhi, father of the newborn said, "My son has been stolen from the hospital. I along with my wife, Geetanjali will not leave the hospital until we get our baby back."
Aniruddha had admitted his wife to the hospital on Wednesday. She gave birth to a baby boy the next day but the newborn was allegedly stolen from the hospital in the early hours on Friday by a woman.
The hospital authorities today disengaged two security guards on charges of dereliction in duty.
Chief District Medical Officer Kodanda Rao said, "A departmental inquiry has already begun and action will be taken against the staff, who are found responsible."
District Collector Samarth Verma visited the hospital, met the infant's mother and assured her that all steps would be taken to trace the baby.
Also read: Sambalpur hospital newborn theft: Authorities dismiss 2 security guards
Meanwhile, two stolen newborns, who were rescued by police earlier this month were handed over to their biological parents today.
The parents of the babies were identified in a DNA test that was held following a court order.
The babies (both boys) were stolen from the gynaecology department of the hospital on two separate days.
While a three-day-old infant boy went missing on January 5 this year, another seven-day-old baby boy was stolen on March 8.
Cuttack Additional Commissioner of Police Seetaram Satpathy said the babies were being looked after by the SCB Medical College and Hospital.
The city police had on March 11 rescued the two babies from separate locations near the city and arrested four persons including a woman, who was the mastermind and masqueraded as a social health activist to steal the babies.
Taking a sou-motu cognisance of the report, OHRC Acting Chairperson Justice B K Mishra asked the Revenue Divisional Commissioner (RDC), Central division, and Superintendent of the medical college to enquire into the case.
According to the report, the unknown person with sores on his body was brought from Angul Bus Stand to the Casualty Out-door of the medical college but he was languishing on the floor without treatment.
Also read: OHRC asks state to pay Rs 5L each to kins of slain couple
"Let a copy of the relevant press clipping be sent to the Revenue Divisional Commissioner, Central Division, and the Superintendent, SCB Medical College & Hospital, Cuttack who are to cause an enquiry into the matter as published in the newspaper and submit their respective reports as to the action taken in providing treatment to the said person within one week," the OHRC order said.
However, the authorities reportedly did not pay attention to him, sources said.
The patient had been under treatment in the casualty ward of the hospital for last 8 days.
"I met with an accident two months back near Xavier chhak and had gone weak ever since. I don’t have anyone else to care for me,” said the patient.
As per latest reports, the patient has been taken back to the casualty ward.
Day before yesterday, an elderly person had died allegedly after being denied treatment and left unattended for days at the SCB following which the medical authorities decided to set up special wards for destitute patients.
“When we came to know about the destitute patient, we shifted him to the casualty ward. The patient will be provided with necessary treatment as per government provisions,” says SCB Emergency Officer, BN Moharana.
As per sources, power went out all of a sudden today morning leading to a complete blackout at the casualty, trauma care, paediatric and new dengue wards of the hospital.
The situation turned worse when the generator also failed to restore power at these emergency wards of the hospital.
Patients and their family members expressed shock over such power failure in important wards of the hospital which is considered as one of the prime healthcare institutions in the state.
However, after nearly 5 hours, the electricians finally managed to restore the power.
A senior official of the hospital said that the reason behind the outage has not been ascertained yet.
“After conducting necessary tests, we found that Kalia is suffering from pneumonia. The doctors’ team of AIIMS New Delhi has been consulted and necessary treatment was provided,” said SCB Emergency Officer, BN Moharana.
Moharana further informed that a 14-member doctors’ team is engaged in the treatment of Jaga and Kalia who were admitted to SCB Medical College and Hospital after they were shifted from AIIMS New Delhi earlier this month.
Born to Bhuan Kanhar and Puspanjali Kanhar of Milipada in Kandhamal district, the twins- Jaga and Kalia were suffering from a rare craniopagus disorder. The kids were admitted for treatment to Delhi AIIMS on July 13, 2017 with the help and assistance from Odisha government.
A special team of doctors performed marathon cranial separation surgeries in two phases- one on August 28 and the second on October 25, 2017 to separate the conjoined twins.
Following the surgery, Jaga’s condition improved rapidly but Kalia’s health continues to remain a cause of worry as he is suffering from certain deficiencies.
Rao breathed his last at 4.15 pm today at the special Covid ward of the state-run premier health centre, SCB Emergency Officer Dr Bhubanananda Maharana informed reporters.
He will be cremated with full state honours at Kaliaboda crematorium in the city tomorrow, Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik announced while expressing grief over the sad demise of Rao.
A team of doctors led by the head of the Department of Medicine Prof Jayant Panda was looking after him since his health condition started deteriorating. He was admitted to the intensive care unit (ICU) in the Covid ward.
Rao was hospitalised in December last year following difficulties in breathing. Later, he tested positive for Covid-19.
He was conferred with the prestigious Padma Shri award in 2019 by the Government of India for his contribution towards boosting the value of education among slum and orphan kids in Cuttack.
A tea seller all his life, Rao ran a small school in Buxi Bazaar area in Cuttack and had been providing education to the slum children free of cost.
He became a household name after recognition by the Prime Minister Narendra Modi for his tireless efforts in educating the poor children in slum area.
Rao has dedicated his life and whole earning towards the education of poor and deprived children. The humble tea seller found a mention in the PM’s radio talk show, ‘Mann Ki Baat’ where the PM said that Rao embodied the spirit of ‘Tamaso mā jyotir gamaya’ which means, ‘From darkness, lead me to light.’
The Prime Minister likened him to a lamp (diya) which guides underprivileged kids to the path of enlightenment.
During his visit to Odisha, PM Modi had met the sexagenerian and applauded his efforts.
While demanding immediate rollback of the decision, the Association has said that students successfully passed from different State-run medical colleges are waiting to get appointment in State hospitals as doctors. If government invites medical degree holders from outside, the future of the students of Odisha will be bleak for sure, asked Dr Harmohan Barik, President of Resident Doctors' Association (RDA) at SCB Medical College and Hospital, Cuttack.
He said that as many as 1600 students pass every year from government-run medical colleges in Odisha. When many of them are deprived of job in State, why the government wants to recruit physicians from outside the State, he questioned.
Barik further said, only Odisha government has implemented such rules while Other States have no such provisions.
https://youtu.be/9WZxcbjdjC8
Notably, Odisha government has planned to conduct a major recruitment drive this year to fill up the posts of 2,452 doctors, 82 dental surgeons and 94 assistant professors in various hospitals and medical colleges.
Earlier, only residents of Odisha who are able to read, write and speak Odia, and those who have passed middle school examination in Odia as a language subject or passed matriculation or equivalent with Odia as medium of examination in non-language subject were eligible for the recruitment in State-run hospitals.