Kolkata: Junior doctors at the RG Kar Medical College and Hospital in Kolkata have formally written to the West Bengal government, requesting a detailed report on the actions taken regarding the safety of doctors and basic facilities since their last meeting. This correspondence comes after previous discussions with the Chief Secretary of West Bengal yielded no results.
The junior doctors expressed their disappointment, stating it took 96 hours of an indefinite hunger strike for them to be called for a meeting. “We are disheartened that despite our earlier emails dated 26 and 29 September 2024 going unanswered, we returned to work with the belief that the state government was taking our demands seriously,” they noted.
In their letter addressed to Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee, the junior doctors outlined several key demands, including the immediate removal of the Health Secretary due to administrative incompetence and corruption, as well as the implementation of a centralized referral system across all hospitals and medical colleges.
They also called for the installation of digital bed vacancy monitors in every hospital, the formation of task forces in each facility, and the appointment of junior doctors to oversee essential amenities like CCTV, on-call rooms, and bathrooms.
Concerns About Communication
The doctors further stated, “In our last meeting with the Chief Secretary, we received no new information that had not already been publicly announced, and we were given only verbal responses to our demands. We have every right to formally know about the steps being taken by the state.”
Additionally, the junior doctors claimed they had requested the first status report along with a safety audit report within seven days. However, 23 days after their last meeting with the government, they have yet to receive any such documentation. “Therefore, we urge you to provide us with a status report on the actions taken and the results of the safety audit immediately,” they concluded.
As the junior doctors continue to push for necessary reforms and better working conditions, their determination reflects broader concerns about healthcare infrastructure and staff safety in the state.
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