Sambalpur, Oct. 25: Postgraduate students and house surgeons of Veer Surendra Sai Institute of Medical Sciences and Research (VIMSAR) today resorted to cease work demanding stronger security measures.
The students and surgeons started their agitation after a mob ransacked the casualty ward last night following the death of a patient.
Himansu Chhatria, 19, of Atachakipara in Burla was admitted to the institute after he was injured in a fall while bathing. He was admitted to the surgery ward on October 21.
The hospital discharged him yesterday morning.
However, he complained of severe pain in the evening and was brought to the hospital again. He died in the casualty ward, leading to allegations of medical negligence.
Residents of Atachakipara ransacked the ward, forcing the postgraduate students, house surgeons, nurses and pharmacists present there to flee.
The students and surgeons held a meeting following the incident and decided to resort to cease work, demanding the strengthening of security on the hospital premises and the arrest of the vandals.
"The allegation of medical negligence is completely baseless. The patient was brought dead. But the people ransacked the casualty ward and misbehaved with the staff members. We demand the arrest of those responsible for the incident. We will continue our strike till our demands are met," said a student who did not wish to be named.
Institute superintendent L.K. Dash said: "We are facing difficulty because of the cease work by the students and house surgeons. But, we have engaged all doctors of the institute to manage the situation and to ensure that the patients are being taken care of."
Atachakipara residents blocked the Burla main road in front of Government High School for three hours demanding compensation for the youth's family and action against the doctors present in the casualty ward last night.
"Chhatria died due to medical negligence. We demand action against the doctors and staff members present in the ward," said local resident Sushanta Tandy.
The residents called off the roadblock following a meeting with the police.
Inspector in charge of Burla police station Tophan Bag said: "Both parties have lodged separate complaints. We are investigating the matter."
