Health services at the Veer Surendra Sai Medical Science and Research (VIMSAR), Burla would be adversely hit from Sunday as the Junior Doctors’ Association (JDA) of west Odisha’s premier medical institute decided to go on a cease-work agitation for an indefinite period for fulfilment of their longstanding demands.
The VIMSAR authorities have suspended the leave applications of senior and other doctors and asked them to join duty.
Association president Shankar Ramchandani said they are forced to resort to agitation again as the Government has failed to address their genuine demands.
“We called off our proposed cease-work stir from April 1 after the Government assured us to fulfil our demands by April 30. But nothing tangible has happened as yet,” rued Ramachandi, adding that only one demand, shifting of female medicine ward to the new building, has been met.
Demands like installation of a Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) machine, delegation of financial and administrative power to the VIMSAR authorities, strengthening of security at the hospital premises, round-the-clock water and electricity supply to operation theatres, labour room, Special Newborn Care Unit, ICU, medicine wards and hostels, hike in library fund and increase in library staff, filling up of vacant teaching and nonteaching posts, making the Regional Diagnostic Centre (RDC) functional round the clock and establishing a good canteen for doctors still remain unheard, he pointed out.
Meanwhile, Dr Braja Mohan Mishra was appointed as the new VIMSAR Superintendent. He took charge on Saturday.