Junior Doctors Demand Justice as Fast Unto Death Continues Over RG Kar Hospital Incident

Junior doctors in West Bengal are continuing their hunger strike for the third day, demanding justice for a colleague's rape and murder at RG Kar hospital. Despite the state government's plea to return to work, the doctors plan a protest march from College Square to Dharmatala on Tuesday evening. They will also hold a symbolic hunger strike at medical colleges and hospitals statewide from 9 am to 9 pm.

The junior doctors began their fast-unto-death on Saturday evening, just days before Durga Puja. Participants include Aniket Mahato from RG Kar Medical College, Snigdha Hazra, Tanaya Panja, Anustup Mukhopadhyay from Kolkata Medical College, Arnab Mukhopadhyay from SSKM Hospital, Pulastha Acharya from NRS Medical College, and Sayantani Ghosh Hazra from KPC Medical College. "We will continue the protest till all our demands are met," Mahato stated.

Senior Doctors Join Hunger Strike

Senior doctors Srabani Maitra and Srabani Chakraborty have joined the protest in solidarity with their juniors by starting a 24-hour fast. "We have joined the young doctors to support them," said Mitra. Additionally, 10-13 other senior doctors plan to join the fast for 24 hours. Both Mitra and Chakraborty are former students of RG Kar Medical College.

Dr Hiralal Konar of the Joint Platform of Doctors West Bengal announced that senior medics would begin a relay hunger strike starting Tuesday. Meanwhile, Chief Secretary Manoj Pant urged junior doctors to resume work, highlighting that 90% of ongoing projects at medical colleges would be completed by next month.

Government's Response and Concerns

Pant held discussions with Health Secretary NS Nigam and representatives of various medical colleges. He assured that efforts are underway to improve the working environment for junior medics. "There is a positive intent from everybody's side," he stated, urging doctors to return to their duties.

The health status of fasting medics is being monitored closely due to concerns about their well-being after over 50 hours without food. One doctor warned that any fatalities would be blamed on the West Bengal government. The agitating doctors accused police of obstructing their protest by seizing chairs and beds at Dorina Crossing in Dharmatala.

Demands and Allegations

The protesting doctors demand justice for their deceased colleague and call for the removal of the health secretary. They seek accountability for alleged administrative failures and corruption within the department. Other demands include a centralised referral system, bed vacancy monitoring, task forces for essential provisions like CCTV and washrooms, increased police protection in hospitals, recruitment of permanent women police personnel, and filling vacant healthcare positions swiftly.

The junior doctors initially ceased work following the rape-murder incident on August 9 at RG Kar Medical College. They resumed duties on September 21 after receiving assurances from the state government regarding their demands.

The situation remains tense as junior doctors continue their protest while balancing their professional responsibilities and personal safety concerns. The outcome of this ongoing agitation could significantly impact healthcare services across West Bengal.