Mamata directs Kolkata commissioner to deploy nodal police officer in every hospital

Kolkata, June 17: The meeting between the agitating doctors and West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee was held at Nabanna​, the state Secretariat. The Chief Minister consented to live coverage of her meeting with the doctors on strike. Only one local channel was reportedly allowed for covering the meeting. The striking doctors had yesterday put forth a condition that they would meet Banerjee only if a permission is granted for the meeting to be live recorded.

Earlier, the doctors cheered as their vehicles left the hospital premises. The meeting between Mamata and doctors was scheduled to begin this afternoon post 3 pm.

The meeting ended a short while ago. During the meeting, the doctors requested the Chief Minister to visit the injured doctors who are undergoing treatment. Banerjee has assured that there wouldn't be any false cases against the doctors.

Banerjee has reportedly directed Kolkata Police commissioner Anuj Sharma to deploy a nodal police officer in every hospital. She has also accepted the proposal of doctors to set up Grievance Redressal Cell in Government Hospitals.

Banarjee has told the Commissioner of Police to take quick action when such attacks are anticipated, reported News 18. The Chief Minister has promised amendments in the clinical establishment act. The amendments are likely to be tabled in the coming session of the assembly, reports further said.

Rajiv Sinha, the West Bengal health secretary and Chandrima Bhattacharya, the minister of state for health were also present at the meeting, along with several others.From the side of doctors, 31 junior doctors are present.

"We are keen to end this impasse. We are ready to hold talks with the Chief Minister at a venue of her choice, provided it is held in the open, in the presence of media persons, and not behind closed doors," the doctors had earlier said.

Earlier in the day, Mamata Banerjee has finally agreed to meet the protesting junior doctors of NRS hospital in Kolkata in the presence of media. Earlier, she had said she was not comfortable with holding the meeting with reporters present, but the protesting doctors were firm on their demand, as reported by News18.

A letter the principal of the medical college and hospital received from the Additional Chief Secretary of the West Bengal government said the chief minister had also agreed to meet four representatives of medical colleges in Kolkata, as opposed to the two invited earlier, the report added.

The Junior doctors have been protesting and demanding security for them since a colleague was attacked by the family members of a deceased patient.

The Chief Minister is learnt to have agreed to a meeting at an auditorium adjacent to the state secretariat at 3 pm. "The Chief Minister has agreed for the meeting tomorrow. We have invited two representatives from each medical college and hospital," a state government source told PTI.

Banerjee, however, is not "comfortable" with their proposal of media presence inside the meeting venue, he said.

"The meeting could either be held at the auditorium or at the chief minister's office. We have passed on this message to the junior doctors," the source said.

Earlier on Saturday, Union Health Minister Harsh Vardhan had asked states to consider enacting a specific legislation for protecting doctors and medical professionals from any form of violence.