Even as an in-house committee of the SCB Medical College Hospital began probing into the alleged harassment and atrocities charges levelled against Urology Department head Prof Datteswar Hota, the indefinite cease-work stir launched by Junior Doctors (PG students) of the college entered its second day on Tuesday without any sign of letup.
“While the deposition of Prof Hota before the Committee remained inconclusive on the day, it (Committee) recorded the verbal and written statements of all the complainants, who are all senior residents of Urology department,” informed college Principal Dr Siddharth Das, adding that the committee is likely to submit its report on Wednesday.
Accusing Hota of harassing and committing atrocities on them, all the 450 Junior Doctors resorted to cease-work from Monday demanding his removal. The doctors alleged that Hota was forcing them to treat and take care of patients in his private clinic in the city.
“By misusing his position, power and influence in the corridors of power, Hota had been spreading anarchy in the hospital and if any of the PG students expresses reluctance to follow his diktat, then the concerned student was threatened of getting adverse marks in the practical examinations,” the Junior Doctors alleged, saying he has been doing this for past several years.
Refusing to tolerate any more tyranny of the senior professor, the striking doctors took out a rally inside the hospital campus on Tuesday and threatened not to budge an inch from their stand until Prof Hota was removed from the hospital. “We will continue our agitation till our grievances are genuinely addressed,” said Junior Doctors’ Association general secretary Dr Phanindra Swain on Tuesday.
Meanwhile, the hospital authorities claimed that the healthcare facilities have not been affected so far due to the cease-work strike by the Junior Doctors. “Alternative arrangements have been made temporarily to ensure that the patients do not suffer due to the strike by the junior doctors,” said hospital in-charge Superintendent Dr PK Nanda.