Bargarh: Doctors, nurses and others staff of the District Headquarters Hospital (DHH) in Bargarh on Saturday wore badges with 'Please Suspend Me' written on it while opposing suspension of senior consultant (surgery) and Additional District Medical Officer (ADMO) Bhima Sahu.
As per reports, Sahu was suspended by the State Health department after 27 women who had come to the DHH for family planning surgery were sent back home after being administered with anaesthetic injection.
According to sources, a sterilisation camp was organised at the hospital three days back in which about 100 women had come for surgery. Sahu, who was the Additional District Public Health Officer(ADPHO) of family welfare, was in-charge of the camp.
While the surgeries were performed on 73 women, the remaining 27 were sent back home without being operated upon even after being given anaesthesia. Following the reports, the State Health department placed Sahu under suspension with immediate effect.
However, the doctors and others staff of the hospital came out in support of Sahu and protested against his suspension. The doctors wore paper badges that read 'Please Suspend Me' and demonstrated in front of the CDMO's office. They also submitted a memorandum to chief minister Naveen Patnaik and Health department demanding immediate withdrawal of the suspension.
"It is very unfortunate that without allowing to submit explanation, the government suspended a senior doctor, who is sincere, dedicated and has reputation in society," the doctors stated in the memorandum.
"Such type of actions will demoralise doctors working in government sector who are already in over burdened and rendering health services selflessly to the people of Odisha," the memorandum added.