The aftermath of an incident at RG Kar Hospital in Kolkata has incited an ongoing protest by doctors in West Bengal. Many doctors have been striking for the past 10 days, calling for justice for the victim. Amidst this, the West Bengal doctors' union announced a nationwide strike starting from October 14.
The Federation of All India Medical Associations (FAIMA) has declared its support for their West Bengal colleagues, planning to boycott alternative medical services nationwide from October 14. Junior doctors have been demonstrating for justice regarding the rape and murder of a female trainee doctor at Kolkata's government R.G. Kar Medical College and Hospital nearly two months ago.
Deteriorating Health of Doctors on Hunger Strike
Doctors engaged in a hunger strike for justice for the victim have witnessed the deterioration of health among three participants, who have been subsequently hospitalized. According to FAIMA, approximately 50 senior doctors and faculty members at RG Kar Medical College and Hospital have resigned in solidarity with the junior doctors.
Strike Announcement from Today
On Sunday, the All India Federation of Medical Associations called upon national medical groups and resident doctors to boycott alternative services from October 14 in support of West Bengal's protesting junior doctors. A social media post stated, 'We demand action and protection for all health professionals in West Bengal and across the nation. After extensive deliberation, we've unanimously agreed on the need for national solidarity. We previously issued an ultimatum regarding the movement to the Chief Minister of West Bengal, but observed no satisfactory action. We urge all RDAs and medical associations nationwide to join our nationwide call to suspend alternative services starting Monday.'
Meanwhile, the Indian Medical Association (IMA) announced that its Junior Doctors Network (JDN) will hold a hunger strike from 6 AM to 6 PM on Tuesday across the nation. The IMA appealed to West Bengal's Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee to heed their demands, emphasizing that young doctors are fighting for their legitimate rights even in the face of death.
Demands of the Doctors
- Establish a centralized referral system for hospitals. - Immediate removal of Health Secretary NS Nigam. - Ensure proper facilities at workplaces, enhance police security in hospitals, and form a task force. - Implement a bed vacancy monitoring system and enhance police protection in hospitals. - Demand for recruitment of permanent female police officers and expedite filling vacant positions of doctors, nurses, and other health workers.
Doctors from Kalyani Hospital Threaten Mass Resignation
In solidarity with the victim seeking justice at RG Kar Hospital, more than 75 senior doctors from Kalyani JNM Hospital have threatened mass resignation. These doctors support the junior doctors on hunger strike, expressing unity with their cause. A total of 77 doctors from the medical facility have informed the West Bengal Health University's registrar via email about their decision to stop work from October 14.
BJP Backs Doctors' Movement
The state BJP president and Union minister Sukanta Majumdar promised full support to the striking doctors while accusing the West Bengal government of reneging on agreements made in the presence of Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee during a meeting on September 16 regarding the security of medical establishments.
Majumdar declared, 'The BJP's West Bengal unit fully supports the junior doctors protesting against the Mamata Banerjee government. The demands of the protesting doctors are legitimate and must be met, especially following the heinous rape and murder of a female doctor at the R.G. Kar Medical College and Hospital.'
