VIMSAR junior doctors call off strike

 Sambalpur: With the Odisha government asking director A K Pujahari to go on leave, the junior doctors of Veer Surendra Sai Institute of Medical Sciences and Research (VIMSAR), Burla ended their cease work and resumed duty on Saturday.

Prakash Mohapatra took over as the new director-in-charge of the institute.

The junior doctors were on a stir to press for their demands since November 17.

The cease work of the 240 junior doctors and 150 house surgeons of the institute impacted health services at the biggest healthcare centre of western Odisha.

"Considering the greater interest of the patients who depend on VIMSAR for health services, we have decided to postpone the cease work. The house surgeons will also join their duty and the undergraduate students will attend the classes," Vice-president of Junior Doctors Association, Himanshu Mishra said.

The agitation made the Odisha government form a team to conduct a probe into allegations against Pujahari of indulging in unproven clinical practices for treating cancer patients.

After the inquiry, the state government served a show-cause notice to the director and sent him on leave on Friday.

Pujahari said he has been given three days to reply to the show-cause notice. "I will reply and if I fail to reply in the stipulated period, I may ask for some more time. I will abide by the direction of the government," he said.

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