AM I A VICTIM OF MY PROFESSION ?( VOL. I)

AM I A VICTIM OF MY PROFESSION ?( VOL. I)

Dr. Gangadhar Sahoo

After completion of the first volume of my experience (This can happen:) , which was highly appreciated by all the readers, specially my friends and my students, I am truly motivated to start this second  serial which is based on my experience in my professional life . At the outset I thank the esteemed editor Mr. Mrutyunjay Sarangi for giving me a spàce in the platform "THE LITERARY VIVES" to showcase my literary skill. Words fall short to express my gratitude to my friend Dr. Prasanna Kumar Sahoo a great all-rounder in the game of life for constantly encouraging me to continue my literary activities against all odds. 
I completed my MBBS including internship from SCB Medical College in July 1976. By that time the postgraduate entrance examination result was out. I passed it successfully and got a seat in my choicest subject OBSTETRICS & GYNECOLOGY (ObGy) in VSS Medical College Burla. After getting internship completion certificate I packed my bedding and the only aluminum box with my most valuable assets (books, certificates and a pair of dress materials) and started my journey in the night bus to Burla with my friend Ramesh who had got a seat in Ophthalmology.
The three years’ postgraduate course started with 1st year as SR (resident surgeon) with monthly stipend of Rs.330/ and next two years as postgraduate student with monthly stipend of Rs.250/ only. At that time we were managing with that amount and saving a very small amount for our rainy days. In the 2nd year I had appeared the OPSC (Odisha Public Service Commission) examination for recruitment to state medical service.  At that time recruitment of doctors to Govt. service was difficult. UPSC recruitment was very infrequently done. Fortunately we had got a chance during our PG career.
The UPSC interview was over. My performance was OK. But it took around a year to publish the result and state Govt. took another six months to release the appointment list. Anyway, when I was appearing the final MD practical and clinical examination, I got my appointment letter. That day was the luckiest day for me. Not only I got my appointment letter on that day but also cleared my MD examination with flying colors. At that time passing the PG examination in first attempt was an exception. After the examination was over, I opened the appointment letter. I was posted as assistant surgeon in Talpali PHC in Padmapur Subdivision of Sambalpur District. Talpali is around 200 km from Burla. There was no direct communication to Talpali. One had to go via Padmapur. Padmapur was the Sub-divisional Headquarters. From Padmapur it was around 50 km. Only one bus was passing through Talpali from Padmapur. It was starting at 4pm from Padmapur and reaching at around 6pm in Talpali. Its destination was Bolangir.
After getting my appointment letter, I decided to join my headquarters on the 5th August 1979. I write a letter to the in charge of Talpali PHC (Primary Health Center) regarding my plan. In that letter I had requested him to look after my stay in that new place, at least to provide a habitable quarters for me. I had not vacated my room in the PG hostel. From there I went to my village to meet my parents and all my family members to seek their blessings and good will. Ours was a joint family. All were happy to see one of their family members to become a full fledged doctor and going to a far off place to serve the community. After spending there for a few days I returned to Burla. From there, on the 4th August I started my journey with my old belongings, my bedding and the aluminum box, in a private bus to Padmapur and reached there at around 12 noon. There was a famous hotel "Shinha Hotel", rather the only hotel in Padmapur. Earlier I had gathered information that one member of Shina family was working as a clerk in Talpali PHC. When I introduced myself to the owner of the hotel he took special care of me and helped me to board the bus destined to go to Bolangir via Talpali. It was around 4pm. I reached Talpali at about 6 pm fortunately before the sunset. Two PHC staffs were waiting to receive me. They kept my luggage in the hospital block and accompanied me to the medical officer's quarters to meet Dr. Barik , the medical officer in charge .
We had a cup of tea. Dr. Barik asked his staff to show me my accommodation place (quarters renovated for me). I went there. What I saw was beyond my imagination. I was shocked to see that  one roomed abandoned house, used for storage of damaged hospital items allotted me ,to the second medical officer who had just arrived to enter into a pious profession after completing his three years taxing post graduation course in ObGy. 
There was no electric supply to the room. It had a single tin door which could be closed from inside. There was an old patient's bed which could crash any time, a big tin bucket and a tin mug. There was no table, no chair; of course there was no space for that luxurious furniture. Better not to speak of toilet and bathroom. Those  were conspicuous by their non-existence . Fortunately I was prepared for those adversities. I had  my branded Everedy torch , a candle and matchbox with me . The two staffs accompanying me arranged my bed. They had a nice idea to close the door from inside. They brought water from the nearest hospital tube well and filled my giant size bucket. They advised me to use this bucket to close the door tight enough lest snakes could enter . That area was snake prone. Then they asked me about my dinner. They told me that there was only one shop which would be closed by 9 pm. Only bread and local made biscuits would be available . I ordered for a loaf of bread and thanked them for their help.
I enjoyed that dry dinner to my utmost satisfaction because I was so hungry. With that burning candle kept in one corner of the room , I started praying Lord Shiva for a sound sleep. How could I sleep? The fear of snake, the swarm of hungry mosquitoes enjoying to see their host and the ghost of any drunkard forcefully pushing the door kept me awake. The weather God blessed me with a shower of torrential rain and thunderstorm at the midnight  by cooling the atmosphere. The dancing of the asbestos roof and the music of the cracking door was making an echo which is still heard with a little bit of shivering and Goosebumps. 
Truly, it was an unforgettable experience on the first day of my journey. 
Next day I described my horrible experience to Dr. Barik. 
 He heard patiently without any sign of concern or remorse and  gave a short reply, "Your year marked quarters is occupied by the head clerk. I have issued him a letter to vacate it at the earliest. "
Later, when I went to see the quarters physically, I was overwhelmed to see that the quarters meant for a medical officer was converted to a cow shed.

Prof Gangadhar Sahoo is a well-known Gynaecologist. He is a columnist and an astute Academician. He was the Professor and HOD of O&G Department of VSS MEDICAL COLLEGE, Burla.He is at present occupying the prestigious post of DEAN, IMS & SUM HOSPITAL, BHUBANESWAR and the National Vice President of ISOPARB (INDIAN SOCIETY OF PERINATOLOGY AND REPRODUCTIVE BIOLOGY). He has been awarded the BEST TEACHER AWARD of VSS MEDICAL COLLEGE,BURLA in 2013. He has contributed CHAPTERS in 13 books and more than 100 Scientific Articles in State, National and International Journals of high repute. He is a National Faculty in National Level and delivered more than 200 Lectures in Scientific Conventions.He was adjudged the BEST NATIONAL SPEAKER in ISOPARB NATIONAL CONVENTION in 2016.