Sambalpur: The stalemate in Burla-based Veer Surendra Sai Institute of Medical Sciences and Research (VIMSAR) is an outcome of a deal between the owners of some private nursing home owners and government doctors who prefer to practice privately, according to well-placed sources.
A well-oiled racket is in place to defame VIMSAR’s director Ashwini Pujahari and legalise private practice of government doctors by destabilising the institute, it was learnt.
An impression is being created that the doctors get neglected and don’t get enough facilities from the government, therefore, they should go ahead with practicing privately, alleged some locals.
Meanwhile some patients who are undergoing treatment and people who depend on the medical college have become victims in the tug-of-war between the director and some doctors, PG students and nurses.
Director Pujahari, an alumnus of the same institute, is known as a strict disciplinarian especially after his stint with the Indian Army. After taking over as the director of the institute he took some strong measures preventing the government doctors from practicing at private nursing homes. He even conducted a sting operation to expose a few doctors.
A report suggested that the doctors often play truant to practice privately and prescribe costly medicines to the patients receiving expensive gifts from the representatives of the pharmaceutical companies. The companies even offer foreign trips for the entire family of the physicians to get things done, it said.
Meanwhile, the strict action of the director in the interest of the poor patients didn’t go down well with many doctors for obvious reasons and they allegedly roped in the PG students and nurses to paralyse VIMSAR.
On the other hand, general public and members of several social organisations have come in support of the director.
They demanded immediate action by the government to normalise patient service and improve study atmosphere in the institute. PNN