Junior Doctors in Kolkata Distribute Leaflets at Puja Pandals Demanding Justice for Colleague

Junior doctors in the city are intensifying their protest by distributing leaflets at Durga Puja pandals on Wednesday. They aim to highlight their demands for justice for a murdered colleague. Additionally, they plan to organise a blood donation camp, according to one of the protesting doctors. "Tomorrow we will hold a blood donation camp and distribute leaflets at various puja pandals, highlighting our demands," said a junior medic.

On Tuesday night, junior doctor Debasish Halder expressed that the mass resignation of senior doctors earlier in the day had bolstered their confidence. However, he believes the West Bengal government is pressuring these senior doctors. Seven junior doctors have been on a hunger strike since Saturday night, with support from several senior colleagues who joined them in solidarity.

Mass Resignations and Government Response

Earlier on Tuesday, over 50 doctors at RG Kar Hospital submitted mass resignations to support the junior doctors' cause. Despite this, the state government claimed it had not received any resignation letters. Dr Hiralal Konar stated, "The state cannot remain silent. They must engage in discussions to resolve this impasse. If anything happens to these young doctors fasting for a noble cause, the state will be held accountable."

In the evening, both junior and senior doctors organised two rallies to support their fasting colleagues. Senior doctors from various medical colleges participated in these rallies. One rally started at Kolkata Medical College and another at SSKM Hospital, both ending at Esplanade where the fasting doctors continue their protest.

Demands and Renewed Protests

The junior doctors have stressed that achieving justice for the deceased woman medic is their main priority. Their demands include removing Health Secretary NS Nigam, holding accountable those responsible for administrative failures, and addressing corruption within the department. They also seek a centralised referral system for hospitals and a bed vacancy monitoring system.

Additional demands involve improving workplace facilities and increasing police protection in hospitals. They are calling for more police presence in hospitals, hiring permanent women police personnel, and quickly filling vacant positions for healthcare workers. The protests began after the rape-murder of a fellow medic at RG Kar Medical College and Hospital on August 9.

Background of the Protest

The junior doctors ended their initial protest after 42 days on September 21 when the state government promised to address their demands. However, they resumed their cease work on October 1 following an attack by a patient's family at the state-run College of Medicine & Sagore Dutta Hospital the previous week. This led to the fast-unto-death agitation starting on Saturday due to unmet demands by the state government.

The situation remains tense as senior medics at SSKM Hospital have threatened mass resignations if the government does not meet the junior doctors' demands. The ongoing protests highlight significant issues within the healthcare system that require urgent attention from authorities.