Kolkata: The West Bengal CM, Mamata Banerjee has called on striking junior doctors in Kolkata to call off their hunger strike and resume work to uphold the government’s health facilities. The junior doctors are strike for justice for one of their own who was raped and murdered, as well as; better healthcare.
When we spoke to her over the phone she reassured the protesters that most of their demands were fulfilled, but there are a few that require three to four months to be addressed. She also said that she would hear the rest of the issues with the doctors on 21 October 2024.
Demonstration against Rape and Murder of a fellow Officer
The strike started after the sad event of a junior doctor of RG Kar Medical College and Hospital. The protest escalated even worse for the doctors said the authorities were not serious with the issue, and they resorted to a hunger strike. The requirements include, starting from this case, and more actions, it requires better protection of medical staff and their working conditions.
Earlier in the day, Chief Secretary Manoj Pant went to the Dharmatala, where junior doctors began their hunger strike. Through him, Banerjee tried to allay the fears of the doctors and she pleaded with them not to disrupt healthcare delivery since services in the sector were already being affected by the strike.
New generation of junior doctors sticking to their demands
During a press conference that protesting doctors held they acknowledged their interaction with the Chief secretary and the Chief minister. Banerjee asked them to resume work but the junior doctors said that they would not return to work until each one of their demands was met. They talked about a necessity for protection increasing for doctors and other medical staff, their improved conditions, and healthcare systems’ overhauls.
: ‘We know the state of health care services but our calls for safety nd justice, dey must gree pelate. “That is why our hopes are pinned when we come face to face with the Chief Minister on Monday,” added one of the junior doctors.
The Way Forward
The junior doctors felt a ray of hopes before their strike scheduled meeting with Mamata Banerjee on 21 st October. They want the discussion to start producing actions and they want it to prioritize the protection of female doctors in hospitals. While some of the doctors have gone back to work to avoid major disruptions of necessary services some others have stood their ground.
This protest has occurred at a time when the health care sector in West Bengal is struggling with major crises and because of this long and relentless strike, the pressure is mounting on the state government to find a solution for the same without much delay.