The strike of the junior doctors of the State-run VSS Institute of Medical Sciences and Research (VIMSAR), Burla entered the sixth day on Sunday seriously hampering the health service in western Odessa’s premier hospital.
The Junior Doctors’ Association (JDA), with support of house surgeons of VIMSAR and local social organisations, have launched the cease-work since January 12 and are on a dharna at the hospital premises highlighting their demands. On Sunday, the junior doctors threatened that they would not call off their strike until the Health and Family Welfare Minister visits the hospital and takes action on their demands.
For the second consecutive day on Sunday, they gheraoed the hospital Superintendent and the college Principal demanding prompt intervention in facilitating fulfilment of their demands.
“We are not fighting for our personal agenda. We are fighting for the people of the region and several social organisations have also extended support to the agitation. Without taking any prompt action, the Minister is sitting idle in Bhubaneswar,” said an irate striking doctor.
Their demands include installation of Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI), delegation of financial and administrative powers to the VIMSAR authorities for better governance of the hospital, shifting of the female medicine ward to the new building, strengthening of the security system at the premises, 24x7 water and electricity supply to all facilities and filling up of vacant posts of teaching and nonteaching staffs.
Expressing shock over the Government’s apathetic attitude, JDA president Shankar Ramchandani said they would intensify the agitation.