Video of Odisha doctor using edible salt on patient during surgery goes viral

Sambalpur: Trouble continues to mount for Veer Surendra Sai Institute of Medical Sciences and Research (VIMSAR) director, Ashwini Pujahari, who is accused of resorting to unproven therapies to treat patients, after a video showing him using edible salt on a patient during surgery, went viral on social media. The junior doctors’ association (JDA) of VIMSAR, who are now on cease-work, has demanded immediate removal of Pujahari for such unproven treatment which allegedly led to the death of the patient.

The JDA alleged that Pujahari used table salt to treat a cancer patient who subsequently died. The JDA has also filed a police complaint against Pujahari.

“There is no reference in books regarding such type of treatments and we have evidence that the patient on whom edible salt was used during surgery died,” said JDA member, Priyambad Sahu.

“We have not heard or read about use of salt to kill cells. Such act of Pujahari is absolutely unethical, inhuman and criminal negligence,” rued doctor Jyotirmaya Nayak.

Not only salt therapy, another video of Pujahari violently patting on back of a patient, similar to that of playing a tabla, is also doing rounds on social media.

VIMSAR director, Ashiwini Pujahari on the other hand refuted such allegations levelled by the JDA and claimed that the salt was in contact with the patient's body was just for less than 3 to 5 minutes.

“All the salt was duly removed through suction method and the patient on which it was used hails from Chhattisgarh. The patient is absolutely fine and will be visiting the hospital in the next 10 to 15 days,” said Pujahari.