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The ongoing protest by junior doctors in West Bengal continues to escalate, despite the government's attempt to address their demands. For the past 15 days, the doctors have engaged in a hunger strike, protesting the alleged rape and murder of their colleague at the RG Kar Medical College and Hospital in Kolkata. Despite Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee conceding to several of their demands, the doctors remain steadfast in their call for the resignation of the health secretary, N.S. Nigam. The doctors are demanding a significant overhaul of the healthcare system in West Bengal, citing a lack of safety and security for medical professionals.
The government, however, has been reluctant to remove Nigam, sparking further tension. Banerjee has stated that it is not possible to remove everyone in a department at once, pointing to the dismissal of other high-ranking officials like the Director of Health Services and Director of Medical Education. She has urged the doctors to “rise above politics and rejoin work.” However, the doctors remain unconvinced, expressing concern over the health of those participating in the hunger strike, three of whom have been fasting since October 5. With the health of the strikers deteriorating, six doctors have already been hospitalized.
The doctors have outlined a list of demands beyond the resignation of Nigam. These include implementing a centralised referral system for all hospitals and medical colleges, establishing a bed vacancy monitoring system, and forming task forces to guarantee essential provisions such as CCTV cameras, on-call rooms, and washrooms at their workplaces. The doctors' demands are rooted in a desire for a safer and more efficient healthcare system in West Bengal, which they believe has been inadequately addressed by the current administration. The situation remains tense, with no clear resolution in sight.
The protest has highlighted systemic issues within the healthcare system in West Bengal, exposing a deep-seated lack of trust between the doctors and the government. The government's reluctance to address the doctors' demands, particularly regarding the resignation of N.S. Nigam, suggests a power struggle between the two parties. The impact of the strike on patient care remains a significant concern, raising questions about the government's ability to adequately respond to the demands of its healthcare professionals.
Source: Bengal: Junior doctors to meet with government; strike to continue