The strike by the Junior Doctors’ Association (JDA) of the Veer Surendra Sai Institute of Medical Sciences and Research (VIMSAR) at Burla entered its second day on Monday.
Many patients shifted to private nursing homes as the healthcare services were hit in the premier Government-run hospital of western Odisha.
JDA president Shankar Ramchandani said, “In the morning, they told us that the Health Secretary and the RDC (Northern) would be visiting to hold discussions. We were hopeful that discussions will be held. Neither the Secretary nor the RDC has arrived till now. They are dillydallying. We are still hopeful.”
On the other hand, the VIMSAR authorities told reporters that they are taking all steps so that patient care is not affected.
VIMSAR Superintendent Prof Brajmohan Mishra said, “The students are on agitation not for their personal gains; they are on agitation for development of the institution. I have told them that we will support them. I have requested them not to do anything that will affect patient care under any circumstances. They have agreed to it.”
The JDA resumed its cease-work stir from May 1 to press for its nine-point charter of demands. As the JDA’s agitation has the support of House Surgeons and PG students, health services have almost come to a halt at the VIMSAR.