Junior doctors in Kolkata are continuing their ‘cease work’ protest, demanding justice for the 31-year-old medico who was brutally raped and murdered at RG Kar Medical College and Hospital. They have vowed to sustain their agitation until the Mamata Banerjee-led government meets all their demands.
The West Bengal Junior Doctors’ Front announced their decision to keep pushing for change and expressed their intention to reach out to the state government for further discussions regarding unmet demands.
Despite attempts to undermine their movement, the doctors claim a partial victory. “Due to our movement’s pressure, the state government was forced to remove the Police Commissioner, Deputy Commissioner North, Director of Health Services, and Director of Medical Education,” they stated.
Unfulfilled Demands and Concerns
In a recent meeting with Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee, the junior doctors raised several concerns. However, they were disappointed with the lack of a concrete decision on their demand to remove the Principal Secretary (Health). “The Chief Minister gave us a verbal assurance, but we have not seen any step in the direction so far,” the junior doctors explained.
Another point of contention is the government’s notification suggesting that state-run hospitals avoid assigning night shifts to women doctors.
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The junior doctors criticized this move, arguing that gender-based solutions would not effectively provide security for women. Referring to the Supreme Court’s observations, the doctors emphasized that it is the state’s responsibility to ensure the security of all medical personnel, irrespective of gender. In response, Bengal’s counsel, Kapil Sibal, mentioned that the notification would be revised.
The junior doctors also highlighted the Supreme Court’s concerns about using contractual staff to provide security in hospitals, as proposed by the government led by Mamata Banerjee. They believe that without systemic improvements in healthcare services, simply increasing security measures will not adequately safeguard doctors.
Calls for Systemic Healthcare Reforms
The protesting doctors have pushed for several structural changes, including the recruitment of more healthcare staff and the establishment of counseling services in hospitals. They argue that problems such as corruption in hospital bed allotment and the shortage of life-saving medications need immediate solutions. “Ordinary people face problems due to corruption in the allotment of hospital beds and shortage of life-saving drugs. We want a solution to all these problems,” the doctors’ forum declared.
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During their discussions with Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee, the junior doctors proposed the formation of a college-level task force to address these systemic issues. However, they remain uncertain about how and when these demands will be met. “We think more discussions are needed. It is not clear how these demands will be fulfilled,” they said.
Demand for Democratic Student Union Elections
In addition to healthcare-related demands, the junior doctors have called for the end of the “politics of fear” in medical colleges and the resumption of democratic student union elections. They noted that while the Chief Minister announced the dissolution of patient welfare committees from the protest site, no formal documentation was provided. There is also ambiguity surrounding how the committees would be re-established.
The protesting doctors have made it clear that their goal is to return to work, but they stress the importance of the government addressing their concerns effectively. “We want the government to hold discussions and fulfill the demands. We want to return to work,” they reiterated.
As the cease-work agitation continues, all eyes are on the Mamata Banerjee government and its response to the doctors’ demands. Will these pressing healthcare and safety issues be addressed to the satisfaction of the medical community, or will the standoff persist? The outcome of these negotiations will be critical in shaping the future of healthcare in West Bengal.
