Sambalpur: The Junior Doctors’ Association (JDA) Saturday put their three-week-long agitation on hold and joined their duty after state government served a show-cause notice to Veer Surendra Sai Institute of Medical Sciences and Research (VIMSAR) Director Ashwini Pujahari and asked to go on leave till the notice is disposed.
The association took the decision at its general body meeting. The junior doctors later joined duty at 2 pm.
The junior doctors had resorted to cease work from November 17, accusing Pujahari of unethical clinical practice and professional misconduct and demanding his removal from the director post. They also accused Pujahari performed unwarranted and unapproved surgeries on poor and destitute patients without written consent. Pujahari was also accused of using table salt and lemon juice on many patients without approval from the Drug Controller of India.
The JDA claimed that a cancer patient of Chhattisgarh, whose surgery was conducted by Pujahari using table salt at the affected place, had died. The doctor, however, refuted it.
“My method of treatment was right. His health condition is stable now and he will come to VIMSAR again,” Pujahari said.
Giving into their demand, the VIMSAR director withdrew from the surgical practices. He, however, refused to resign as VIMSAR director.
However, the junior doctors continued with their demand for his removal from the post.
Later that day, commissioner-cum-secretary, Health and Family Welfare, Pramod Meherda served a show-cause notice on Pujahari and asked him to proceed on leave till the matter was decided.
“The undersigned is directed to enclose herewith the inquiry of the team constituted to inquire into the allegations levelled against you and to say that your reply on the observations and findings of the team should be submitted to this department within three days,” said health secretary Pramod Meherda wrote to Pujahari in the show-cause.
Apart from being asked to reply to the show-cause in three days, Pujahari has also been asked to submit the probe reports against him.
Meanwhile, the government has appointed Prakash Chandra Mohapatra, director, Regional Spinal Injury Centre, Cuttack as director in-charge with immediate effect. He will discharge the new duty in addition to his existing work at Cuttack until further orders.
PNN