Third Junior Doctor Hospitalised After Health Worsens During Protest Fast in Kolkata

A junior doctor observing a fast-unto-death over the rape and murder of a woman medic at R G Kar Medical College was hospitalised on Saturday evening due to deteriorating health, according to an official. Anustup Mukherjee, from Medical College, Kolkata, became the third fasting medic to be taken to hospital. His condition was described as serious by colleagues at the protest site.

Junior doctors began their fast-unto-death on October 5 in Kolkata's Esplanade area. They are demanding justice for the deceased woman medic and the removal of Health Secretary NS Nigam. Other demands include a centralised referral system for hospitals, a bed vacancy monitoring system, and task forces for essential provisions like CCTV and on-call rooms.

Health Concerns Among Fasting Doctors

Alok Varma from North Bengal Medical College and Hospital was hospitalised earlier in the day. He became the second medic to require hospitalisation after Aniket Mahato was admitted to RG Kar Hospital's ICU three days prior. The protesting doctors have been facing severe health issues due to their indefinite fast.

Mukherjee was taken to Medical College, Kolkata, where he is a student, after doctors decided his condition required hospital treatment. At the protest site, junior doctors reported that Mukherjee had blood in his stool and severe stomach pain. They urged the government to address their demands, blaming state authorities for the health issues faced by fasting doctors.

Demands of Protesting Doctors

The junior doctors' demands include establishing a centralised referral system for all hospitals and medical colleges in West Bengal. They also seek the implementation of a bed vacancy monitoring system and formation of task forces to ensure essential provisions like CCTV, on-call rooms, and washrooms at their workplaces.

The protesting doctors insist that these measures are necessary for improving working conditions and ensuring safety in medical institutions across the state. They continue their protest despite health challenges, highlighting the urgency of their demands.

The situation remains tense as junior doctors persist with their protest, seeking justice and systemic changes in response to the tragic incident involving their colleague. Their commitment underscores the critical need for addressing safety and infrastructure issues in healthcare facilities.