Bhubaneswar/Cuttack: Patient care was affected at SCB Medical College and Hospital in Cuttack on Wednesday as house surgeons went on cease work, barring emergencies, following an argument between a nursing officer and a house surgeon over attending to a patient on Sunday night.
House surgeons demanded the transfer of the nursing staff and a public apology from her.On the other hand, the nursing staff also demanded action against the house surgeon for allegedly misbehaving with her. Nurses have threatened to go on strike from July 24 if the authorities do not fulfil their demands.

Hospital authorities are trying to resolve the issue by forming an eight-member fact-finding team to look into the matter. An urgent meeting was conducted in the hospital on Wednesday evening to put an end to this logjam.
On Tuesday, both house surgeons and nursing staff held separate protests outside the medical superintendent’s office, shouting slogans against each other.
House surgeons boycotted general duties in outdoor areas, wards and operation theatres. They have decided to continue the strike for an indefinite time until their demands are met. “Due to the cease work, very few doctors are present in the OPD. I had to wait for two hours to consult a doctor,” said Subhendu Behera, a patient.
Kalandi Sahoo, whose wife is undergoing treatment in the gynaecology department, said doctors should not play with the lives of patients. “A common man comes to the hospital with hope of getting better treatment. Doctors must serve their patients,” said Sahoo, adding that authorities must take immediate measures to resolve the crisis ,
According to hospital authorities, there was a scuffle between the house surgeons and nursing staff on Sunday night over an argument between a doctor and a nursing officer while attending to a patient in the hospital’s medicine department.
“We demand the immediate transfer of the nursing officer. We seek a clear directive regarding the roles of house surgeons and nursing officers here,” said Saswat Mohanty, president of the house surgeons’ union.
He said the nursing officer must apologise to the house surgeons for her misbehaviour and issuing false statement to the media. “We will continue the stage strike for an indefinite period until our demands are met,” Mohanty added.
The nursing staff also made similar allegations against the house surgeons and decided to wear a black badge while working for the next three days.
“The nursing officers have threatened to launch a cease work agitation from July 24 if the authorities fail to take immediate steps to resolve the issue,” said Sneha Sudha Sahu, a nursing officer.
Sudhansu Mishra, the medical superintendent of SCB Medical College and Hospital, said he has received complaints from both sides. “We are looking into the matter. We will investigate the allegations and take action as per requirement,” Mishra said.