Hundreds of people from Sambalpur, Jharsuguda and Bargarh district on Wednesday held a dharna demanding action against the doctors who are creating indiscipline in the VIMSAR and defaming new Director Dr Ashwini Pujahari for their vested interest.
Political leaders, social activists and also senior lawyers of the region joined the dharna voicing identical concerns. “In no case will we support the PG students’ demand,” said they said. At the same time, they made it clear that if any action was taken against Dr Pujahari, then they would not keep silent.
However, they appreciated the step taken by the State Government so far in the VIMSAR matter, including appointment of new doctors on Wednesday.
“The agitating students should feel the pulse of the people here as no one supports their activities. Hence, they should change their mind for any action against the Director as this particular person has a bright track record in the past and is now all set for the development of the VIMSAR,” said Sapan Mishra from Pascimancal People’s Forum (PPF).
The parents of these students should come forward to convince them to withdraw the agitation and cease work, further suggested Mishra.
Similarly, another speaker, Suresh Pujari, demanded action against PG students who attacked Dr Pujahari’s residence on Friday night. “Action is also needed against those who are instigating students for such wrong paths,” Pujari demanded.
Under the present scenario, the PG students have been totally isolated by the public.
Meanwhile, 66 doctors have joined the medial college hospital to streamline treatment. “All the doctors who joined on Wednesday have been assigned specific duties in different wards. As on today, no such alarming situation has been caused in the medical. And joining of the new doctors will further improve the situation,” said superintendent of the hospital Braja Mohan Mishra.
In another development, over 300 members of the Bargarh District Bar Association and Congress activists submitted a memorandum to CM Naveen Patnaik through the district Collector here on Wednesday protesting the recent attack Dr Pujahari’s residence at Burla.
The Bar Association led by its president Shashi Bhusan Pradhan and secretary Harihar Pradhan submitted a 7-point charter of demands.
Their demands included action against those who had attacked Prof Pujahari’s residence, security to the Director of the MCH and filling vacancy of doctors in VIMSAR among others. The BJP Bargarh unit also had supported the Director earlier and conducted a Press meet demanding action against the culprits.
More and more Government doctors of western Odisha have been doing private practice during their duty hours at the hospital and earning huge money, apart from their salary. They should also come under scanner by the higher authority, demanded the activists. The Bar Association also sent copies of the memorandum to the Health Minister and the RDC Sambalpur.
Association vice-president Saroj Kumar Tripathy, joint secretary Rajendra Mohanty and Srishballav Mishra were present. Besides, Bargarh Congress led by district president Ananta Shayana Padhi, Prakash Chandra Debta and Nihar Mohananda were present.