Medicos suspend cease work agitation at Odisha’s VIMSAR

Odisha Sun Times Bureau
Burla, May 3:

Junior Doctors’ Association (JDA) of Veer Surendra Sai Institute of Medical Sciences and Research (VIMSAR) in the western Odisha town of Burla today decided to put on hold their cease work agitation following a two-hour long discussion with state government officials.

VIMSAR

“We had an overall amicable discussion though we had disagreement on some points. Our main demand was the installation of MRI machine. We are very happy that the machine has arrived in India and has been cleared by Customs authorities. The RDC (Central Division) showed us documents of it reaching the country’s shores. He said he has spoken to the Customs authorities for its early. The building to house the machine is ready with electrical wiring etc, so we are hopeful that it’s going to be installed very soon. Keeping the interest of the patients and words of the RDC in mind we decided to put our agitation on hold,” said Shankar Ramchandani, president of JDA speaking to reporters after the meeting.

He said JDA will monitor the developments with regard to our demands every seven days and hold discussions with the institution’s authorities adding that authorities have agreed to the proposal.

“We will monitor the situation regularly and discuss problems if any with the authorities, VIMSAR’s principal, superintendent, director and we all will work unitedly for the development of VIMSAR. We will join work immediately and everything will be normal,” said Ramchandani.

However, on the other hand, Sunamali Bag, director of VIMSAR said the junior doctors have withdrawn their agitation.

“RDC (Central Division), Collector Sambalpur, additional secretary of Health & Family Welfare had come for the meeting. They along with VIMSAR authorities discussed with the office-bearers of JDA in detail over their nine-point charter of demands. The discussion was held in very amicable atmosphere. On the whole, the discussion was very amicable, very effective. The MRI machine is very much likely to be installed by the end of this month. So also CT scan machine.  JDA very happily has agreed to withdraw its agitation,” said Bag briefing reporters.

“The agitating students wanted a discussion on four issues. Their foremost demand was the installation of MRI machine. The machine has arrived in Mumbai. Customs clearance which was taking much time has been completed. The supplier has informed us in writing that by 21st of this month it will be installed and made functional. The second about electricity we have committed them and the GED people have agreed to provide diesel generator (DG) sets for backup power by 31st of this month which will solve the electricity problem. As a permanent solution for the provision of uninterrupted power without DG sets we will hold discussions with the Energy department,” said A B Ota, RDC (Central Division) talking to reporters.

Notably, today was the third day of the fourth phase of agitation of the JDA.

The nine-point charter of demands of the JDA include installation of an MRI machine, delegation of financial and administrative power to VIMSAR, shifting of female medicine ward to a new building, strengthening of security on the medical college premises, round-the-clock water and electricity supply at the operation theater, a labour room, a sick newborn care unit (SNCU), an intensive care unit (ICU), a new medicine ward, a canteen, hostels, an increase in library fund, recruitment of staff for the library, filling up of vacant teaching and non-teaching posts, and improvement in the sanitary condition of the institute.

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