Cuttack: More than 250 house surgeons of the SCB Medical College and Hospital in Cuttack launched a strike today, affecting healthcare services at the government hospital.

The agitating house surgeons demonstrated in front of the hospital superintendent's office, protesting against the alleged misconduct of a nursing officer.

The house surgeons claimed that despite numerous appeals regarding the nursing officer's behavior towards them, the hospital administration has not taken any corrective measures. Their frustration over the lack of action prompted the strike, the agitators said.

A memorandum was submitted by the house surgeons to the superintendent, demanding disciplinary action against the nursing officer accused of misbehaving with doctors.

"We are calling for the immediate transfer of the nursing officer. Additionally, we seek a clear directive regarding the roles of house surgeons and nursing officers. We regret the inconvenience caused to health services due to our strike, but if our demands are not addressed promptly, we will withdraw from emergency duties," said Saswat Mohanty, President of the House Surgeons’ Union.

On the other hand, the Nursing Association has lodged a complaint with the Mangalabag police regarding the incident. The association said it will launch a cease work agitation from July 24 if the matter is not resolved.

According to the nursing association, a nurse was allegedly attacked by several house surgeons after questioning one of them about a delay in attending an emergency call in the hospital's new medicine ward. The association has lodged a complaint with Mangalabag police, seeking the arrest of those involved.

Nursing officer Sneha Sudha Sahu, in her complaint, stated that on Sunday night, she requested a house surgeon for plasma transfusion for a patient. After waiting for an hour without any response, Sahu administered the plasma herself, leading to an adverse reaction in the patient. Upon the house surgeon's arrival, Sahu accused him of the delay, which she claimed caused the issue. Instead of providing a written explanation, the house surgeon allegedly instructed her verbally to administer an anti-reaction injection.

"When I refused, around 10 house surgeons came to the ward, locked me in a room, and subjected me to verbal abuse and harassment for over an hour," Sahu alleged in her complaint.

The house surgeons, refuting Sahu’s claims, argued that the delay occurred because the colleague was on duty in the emergency ward. They are now demanding an apology from Sahu and her transfer.

In response to the escalating situation, the hospital authorities have established an eight-member fact-finding committee. "The committee, consisting of two lady professors, four male professors, the nursing superintendent, and the deputy nursing superintendent, will investigate the allegations and submit a report. Appropriate actions will be taken based on the findings," stated SCB MCH superintendent Sudhansu Sekhar Mishra.