Burla: Doctor crisis in VSS Medical College neurosurgery department

Following report is from TOI:

SAMBALPUR: The neurosurgery department of VSS Medical College and Hospital, Burla, is functioning with half its doctor strength. It has only one professor, who is also the head of department and an assistant professor. The post of senior resident is vacant as the appointee is yet to join and the associate professor is on deputation to SCB Medical College and Hospital, Cuttack.

“Accident victims with head injuries are brought to the neuro-surgery department. The staff shortage has proved to be a big problem,” said social worker Nihal Singh. He said the government should immediately fill up the vacancies.

Head of neurosurgery department Dr S K Mishra said the hospital tries to attend to all patients. “The pressure on doctors would have minimized if there were new recruits,” Mishra said.

Dr S S Pradhan, who was appointed as senior resident of the department, is unable to join because the labour department has not relieved him from his post of medical officer in-charge of ESI dispensary in Puri. “The department screening committee disallowed him to join the post of senior resident on administrative grounds,” stated a letter of labour and ESI department.