Agitating VIMSAR docs to meet Health minister today

Bhubaneswar: A 10-member delegation of striking junior doctors at Veer Surendra Sai Institute of Medical Sciences and Research (VIMSAR), Burla is scheduled to meet Health minister Atanu Sabyasachi Nayak here today to discuss their 11-point charter of demands.

Official sources said, the delegation, along with VIMSAR’s principal, superintendent and director, will meet Nayak to discuss several issues relating to the institution.

The decision was taken at a meeting attended by Sambalpur MLA Raseswari Panigrahi. But the doctors insisted on continuing their strike till their demands are met.

Meanwhile, resident doctors and Nursing Association of VIMSAR have extended their support to the agitating junior doctors. About 450 junior doctors and house surgeons are on strike to press for fulfillment of their 11- point charter of demands.

Their demands are installation of a magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) machine, delegation of financial and administrative powers to VIMSAR, shifting of female medicine ward to a new building, strengthening of security on the medical college premises, round-the-clock water and electricity supply at the operation theatre, a labour room, a sick newborn care unit (SNCU), an intensive care unit (ICU), a new medicine ward, a canteen, hostels, an increase in library fund, recruitment of staff for the library, filling up of vacant teaching and non-teaching posts and improvement in the sanitary condition of the institute.

The cease work by the junior doctors and house staff has badly affected health services in this premier government referral hospital of western Odisha.