Cuttack: The house surgeons at the SCB Medical College and Hospital launched an indefinite strike on Wednesday, demanding a hike in their monthly stipend.
In the morning, they demonstrated in front of the casualty ward after one of them on duty at the medicine department had been manhandled by attendants of an indoor patient after his death.
In his complaint to Manglabag police, house surgeon Dr Aman Kumar Behera alleging that eight attendants of an indoor patient, Nrusingha Charan Das had manhandled him after the patient died. "We have registered a case and investigation is on," inspector-in-charge Arun Kumar Swain said.
Later, the house surgeons shifted the demonstration to the superintendent's office around noon. They also locked up the superintendent's office and launched a cease work for hike in stipend and review of the security for doctors during duty hours.
The hospital has 150 house surgeons, who are mostly engaged to take care of the patients during night hours. The doctors on strike under the banner of All Odisha House Surgeons' Association have grievances, including low stipends and lack of proper security during duty.
They had been seeking a rise since April. "We get a monthly stipend of Rs 15,000 - lesser than what the hospital sweepers get," said association secretary Dr Susobhan Bahinipati.
The doctors have placed a demand for Rs 28,000 as monthly stipend for house surgeons. Bahinipati said: "Our demand is not unreasonable. Sometimes we are expected to even work for 30 hours in a stretch."
"We will not call off our strike till both the demands related to security and stipend are fulfilled," he said.
Academic activities were also affected as MBBS students boycotted classes expressing solidarity for the house surgeons.
Hospital superintendent Shyama Kanungo could not be reached for his comments despite several efforts.
Administrative officer Pratap Mishra said: "Security arrangement is being reviewed for the safety of doctors on duty. The demand for stipend hike has been forwarded to the government."
