VIMSAR director exposes another doctor engaged in private practice

Sambalpur: Another doctor of Veer Surendra Sai Institute of Medical Sciences and Research (VIMSAR), Burla has been caught in a sting operation by the institute’s Director Aswini Kumar Pujahari while treating patients at home during his duty hours.

According to sources, Pujahari had inquired about Associate Professor Goutam Kumar Satpathy from Department of Orthopedic Surgery and found him absent at hospital. On a tip off that Satpathy is treating patients at his home, the Director went there personally and caught him.

Pujahari has issued a show-cause notice to Satpathy over his absence in hospital during his duty hours. A reply on the notice has been sought within 48 hours.

Talking to media persons, Pujahari said, "I got information that a doctor is practicing at home during his working hours. I went to his home and saw a number of patients waiting outside and the doctor examining and giving prescription to them inside his house. I asked him why is he there during his working hours to which he replied that his rounds are over. The time span of rounds depend on the number of patients, but he should stay till 1 o'clock during his duty hours as there are many other works like teaching the medical students, dressing of a patient and doing his research work. If he is doing private practice other than these, it is against the rules. I have therefore forwarded a show cause notice to him."

Earlier on July 10, the Director had caught Associate Professor Braja Bihari Panda of Department of Radiology while working at a private nursing home during his duty hours.