Healthcare hit due to strike by doctors at VIMSAR

Sambalpur: The healthcare facilities have been disrupted at Veer Surendra Sai Institute of Medical Sciences and Research (VIMSAR) due to the cease work stir by the Junior Doctors' association here since November 17 in Sambalpur district.

Sources said number of patients has decreased gradually due to the non-availability of doctors and other emergency services. Many prefer private nursing homes to avail better healthcare facilities.

Even if the hospital authorities have made alternative arrangements, healthcare services have been disrupted.

"We have been waiting since last two hours to meet a doctor due to the strike by junior doctors," said a patient.

“The doctors, who are refusing to treat patients here citing various reasons like shortage of staff and various other problems, are attending patients in private nursing home and clinics,” rued relative of a patient.

On the other hand, the hospital authorities claimed that necessary steps have been taken so that there is no disruption of emergency services.

“A core committee consisting of five-six members has been formed to regularly visit the hospital, monitor works and advise the agitating junior doctors to withdraw the strike. Though we had held talks with agitating doctors in presence of the Collector, they refused to withdraw their strike,” Dean of VIMSAR, Prof. Braja Mishra said.

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Earlier a four-member team of the State Health department had visited the hospital to probe the allegations levelled against the institute’s director Aswini Pujahari as per the direction issued by Odisha Governor Ganeshi Lal.

The junior doctors’ association (JDA) has been demanding removal of the VIMSAR director and staging an agitation over a 10-point charter of demands since November 17.