Jr docs in Odisha hosp on cease work for better infrastructure

Cease work by junior doctors demanding better infrastructure today affected services in the MKCG Medical College and Hospital here, the only referral hospital in southern Odisha.
Local associations of house surgeons, nurses and some others have extended solidarity to the demands of the junior doctors' association (JDA), claimed a spokesperson of the association.
Hospital Superintendent Ashok Kumar Behera, however, said services were not affected due to the agitation as professors, assistant professors and senior residents were doing extra work.
The junior doctors were demanding improvement of infrastructure of the hospital like enhancement of bed strength in Intensive Care Unit (ICU), round the clock ECG facilities, filling up of the vacant doctors' posts, installing modern equipment and strengthening of security in the campus.

"We had submitted the charter of demands to the superintendent of the medical college on November 18 and requested to take steps to fulfil the demands within a week. As the college authorities failed to meet the demands, we are forced to launch the agitation," said Chandan Gantayat, an association leader.
He said the agitation would continue till the demands Are met.

Around 200 junior doctors staged dharna in front of the college and raised slogans in favour of their demands. They also took out rally in the town to seek support from the public to their agitation.
Superintendent Behera said, "We have already intimated the government about the demands of the junior doctors."

He said the medical college authorities have already taken steps to fulfil their demands on their capacity. "We have already served the notice to the security agency to improve its services," he said.
Moreover, armed police personnel were guarding the campus, while police authorities have planned to strengthen the medical outpost by providing more men power, Behera said.