The protesting doctors, who had been demanding justice for their colleague and healthcare reforms, met with the Chief Minister to discuss their concerns.
The protesting doctors, who had been demanding justice for their colleague and healthcare reforms, met with the Chief Minister to discuss their concerns.
In a significant development, junior doctors across West Bengal called off their 15-day hunger strike on Monday after a meeting with Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee. The strike, which had paralyzed healthcare services across multiple hospitals, was initiated in protest of the alleged rape and murder of a female doctor at RG Kar Medical College and Hospital in Kolkata.
The protesting doctors, who had been demanding justice for their colleague and healthcare reforms, met with the Chief Minister to discuss their concerns. Although they received some assurances, the doctors expressed dissatisfaction with the government’s overall response.
During the two-hour-long meeting, which was live-streamed as per the doctors' request, a group of 17 junior doctors highlighted various issues, including the "threat culture" prevailing in the state's hospitals. This refers to the ongoing concerns over safety and the lack of proper security measures for healthcare professionals.
The doctors stated, “We did get the assurance of some directives, but the body language of the state government was not positive. The common people and the parents of our deceased sister have been requesting us to end the hunger strike, given our deteriorating health.”
The strike was triggered by the tragic incident involving a trainee doctor who was found dead on August 9 in the seminar hall of RG Kar Medical College. The case has sparked massive protests across West Bengal, with many demanding swift justice and stringent action against the perpetrators.
The situation also led to a political clash, with the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) calling for the resignation of Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee. The incident has drawn widespread attention, leading to demands for improved safety for healthcare workers in government-run hospitals.
The ongoing protests have ignited a political storm in the state. West Bengal Congress President Subhankar Sarkar commented on the meeting between the doctors and the Chief Minister, expressing hope that the issues would be resolved. "I am hopeful this time everything will be solved," he told ANI.
The BJP has taken a more aggressive stance, using the incident to criticize the state government’s handling of law and order, with leaders calling for the Chief Minister’s resignation.
In response to the doctors' demands, CM Mamata Banerjee assured them of steps to address the immediate issues. However, the junior doctors have indicated that they will continue to monitor the situation closely and hold the state government accountable for delivering on its promises.
While the hunger strike has ended, the underlying concerns regarding healthcare reforms and the safety of medical professionals remain central to the ongoing discussions.
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