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.
Speaking to media persons after the meeting Jena said, “We are all dedicated to transform VIMSAR into a developed healthcare institute and for that the government aims to develop new infrastructure. The government has assured to install ultra modern health equipments worth around Rs 50 crore so as to improve healthcare services. Improving patient-doctor relationship through better healthcare, ensuring academic quality of the medical college will also be emphasised.”
VIMSAR director Ashwini Pujahari said “Any misunderstanding that was blocking better judgement has been cleared after the meeting. We will strive to prevent any such standoff in future and work for the all round development of the medical institute,”
Meanwhile, JDA Secretary Debi Prasad Mishra said the discussion with the health minister was very fruitful. “The minister has promised to fulfil our demands and attempt to develop healthcare facilities in the institute so that both patients and doctors take each other into confidence.”
Earlier on Thursday the JDA put on hold to its five-day long cease work stir expressing resentment over functioning of director Pujahari.
The move came after the doctors’ body held a telephonic conversation with Health Minister Pratap Jena.
“Health minister assured us that he would look into our demands and ensure quick action in this regard. He has urged us to promote peace and restore normalcy in the campus. We had demanded that sufficient security be deployed inside the campus and today the administration has acceded to our request,” said secretary of JDA, Debi Prasad Mishra.
Sources said there were no discussions on anything related to VIMSAR director who was alleged of misusing administrative powers.
Meanwhile, medical authorities have welcomed the move. “The suspension of the cease-work stir is very welcoming. The doctors are the backbone of the hospital and once they join their duty, patient care will improve,” director Ashwini Pujahari said.
As many as 240 PG students, 150 house surgeons and 750 under graduate students of the medical institute went on an indefinite cease-work expressing resentment over functioning of director Aswini Pujahari.
The development came after two PG students allegedly assaulted an attendant of a patient and then pelted stones at the residence of the director. Such an incident triggered a public outcry and the locals came out in support of the director launching protests. However, students alleged that the director instigated the public to attack UG and PG students.
On the other hand the director stood his ground saying students should first apologise to the man who was thrashed, accept their mistake for hurling stones at his residence and give in writing to the police that they will maintain peace in the institute.
Mishra said meeting of PG doctors of VIMSAR and SCB Cuttack with Jena had a positive output. JDA will let know of its future steps after their General Body meeting on Friday.
On the other hand the minister said that further talks will be held only after the students call off their stir. But he was silent if any action will be taken against the Director.
PG doctors are sitting on dharna since four days demanding ouster of VIMSAR Director Aswini Pujahari alleging autocracy. MBBS students have also joined the PG doctors in the protest.
Talking with media persons, spokesman of JDA, Jagamohan Mishra said, "The minister has promised to resolve the issue at the earliest. We will let all know about our decision after the General Body meeting."
The Health Minister said, "We want normalcy to return at VIMSAR soon, many things have been discussed but further action will be taken after the protest is called off."
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Notably, the medicos had staged the stir earlier in the day protesting the Principal’s decision to dissolve the Junior Doctors' Association (JDA) of the VIMSAR. They had gheraoed the chambers of the VIMSAR director and the Principal.
The decision to dissolve the JDA before its term ends in December this year had drawn the ire of the junior medicos.
Though not a recognized body, JDA has been raising various problems and issues of the students at VIMSAR.
This was informed by the Dr Shankar Ramachandani, president of Junior Doctors’ Association (JDA), to the media persons here.
Additional Secretary, Health, Sambalpur collector, VIMSAR director and the JDA members were present at the meeting.
The JDA had urged the VIMSAR director Dr Sunamali Bag to have a meeting with the RDC or the Additional Secretary, Health for a discussion on the prevailing situation in the hospital.
Shankar Ramchandani, President, of the JDA, VIMSAR, said, “We have been demanding for fulfillment of nine-point charter of demands including MRI machine and water issue. The association wants to discuss with an RDC-level officer and executive engineer about the water issue.”
Prof Brajmohan Mishra, Superintendent, VIMSAR, stated, “How can we give assurances on 24-hour supply of electricity and water? If the government address the issues, it will be beneficial for students.”
Meanwhile, VIMSAR made arrangements to face the situation that has arisen out of the strike of the junior doctors.
Dr Sunamali Bag, director, VIMSAR, said, “During rounds in wards, I observed doctors are working properly and health services has not been affected so far.”