(Top) An empty operation theatre at the Acharya Harihar Regional Centre for Cancer Research, and (above) acting director UN Parija. Telegraph pictures

Cuttack, Jan. 14: There’s relief in sight for cancer patients admitted at the Acharya Harihar Regional Centre for Cancer Research and Treatment, where a strike by contractual workers led to the postponement of nearly 11 surgeries since the past two days.

Nearly 21 contractual employees (sweepers and attendants) have been on a cease-work agitation since Tuesday demanding regularisation of jobs.

But according to latest reports, the ongoing cease-work agitation by the contractual employees has been called off. This came after the state government sought a month’s time to fulfil the demands of the agitators.

“We called off the agitation after officials of the cancer institute and the health department assured us that our demands would be met. They have sought one month’s time. As a result of the assurance, all our members have resumed duties,” said president of Acharya Harihar Cancer Institute employees’ Union Basant Sahoo.

U.N. Parija, acting director of the cancer institute, said: “The patients were facing problems because of the strike. But as the matter is now sorted out, we expect things will be normal as the strike has been called off. We have assured them that all possible steps would be taken to fulfil their demands within a month.”

Nearly 11 operations and minor surgeries had to be cancelled in the last two days. The sanitation measures at the cancer centre were affected as well. Heaps of garbage, including medical waste such as cotton, bandages and saline bottles, were lying scattered all over the institute.

“No steps are being taken to remove the garbage. The unhealthy atmosphere is not only putting the lives of patients, but also their relatives’ at risk,” said Shyam Bhoi, who kin is undergoing treatment.

Sama Oram (45) had come all the way from Rourkela for the treatment of his son at the cancer institute.

Oram’s 12-year-old son Anil is suffering from “bone cancer” and needs urgent surgery. But the surgery scheduled for yesterday had to be postponed because of the cease-work agitation by contractual workers.

“It has been almost a week since we came to the hospital for our son’s treatment. The surgery was to be held yesterday, but has been postponed. We have no money left and cannot go back to our village until the surgery is done,” said Oram.

The twelve-year-old is unable to bear the pain and the nurses on duty are giving him painkiller injections for relief.

“I cannot tolerate my son’s pain. But we have to wait for the surgery, because it has been postponed due to the strike,” said Anil’s mother.

Doctors say Anil’s right leg will have to be amputated, as the infection is fast spreading and surgery at the earliest is a must.

The 146-bed cancer institute treats patients from neighbouring Bengal and other distant places.