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Junior Doctors Protest During Durga Puja
Junior Doctors to Protest at Puja Pandals
Junior doctors in Kolkata are taking their ongoing protest to a new level by distributing leaflets at Durga Puja pandals across the city. These leaflets outline their demands for justice in response to the murder of a fellow medic at RG Kar Medical College. Additionally, the protesting doctors will hold a blood donation camp on Wednesday, showcasing both their commitment to their cause and their dedication to the healthcare community despite the ongoing protests.
“We will hold a blood donation camp and distribute leaflets at various Puja pandals, highlighting our demands,” said Debasish Halder, a junior doctor participating in the protest. The decision to take the protest to the pandals is intended to raise public awareness about their grievances. “The mass resignation of our senior doctors has strengthened our confidence, but the West Bengal government is pressuring them to back down,” Halder added.
Fast-Unto-Death by Junior Doctors
Seven junior doctors from RG Kar Medical College have been on a fast-unto-death since Saturday, protesting in solidarity with their colleagues and demanding swift government action. The hunger strike has drawn attention from both senior doctors and the public. On Tuesday, more than 50 doctors submitted mass resignation letters to express their support for the junior doctors’ cause, although the state government claimed it had not officially received these resignations.
According to Dr. Hiralal Konar, “The state cannot remain silent. They must engage in discussions to resolve this impasse. If anything happens to these young doctors fasting for a noble cause, the state will be held accountable.”
Senior Doctors Rally in Solidarity
On Tuesday evening, two rallies were organized by both junior and senior doctors in support of the ongoing protests. Senior medics from various hospitals, including Kolkata Medical College and SSKM Hospital, participated in the rallies. The rallies culminated at Esplanade, where the fasting doctors are continuing their protest for justice. Senior doctors from SSKM Hospital also threatened to resign en masse if the state government does not meet the junior doctors’ demands.
The protests stem from the tragic rape and murder of a junior doctor from RG Kar Medical College in August. The protests had initially ended after 42 days on September 21, when the state government promised to address their concerns. However, after an attack on doctors by a patient’s family at the College of Medicine & Sagore Dutta Hospital, the junior doctors resumed their cease work and began their hunger strike on October 1, reigniting their movement for justice and change.
Key Demands of the Junior Doctors
The primary focus of the junior doctors’ protest is to secure justice for the deceased doctor. Their demands, however, extend beyond this. They are calling for the immediate removal of Health Secretary NS Nigam for failing to address administrative issues. Additionally, they demand measures to combat corruption within the health department.
The junior doctors are also pushing for systemic reforms, including:
- Establishing a centralized referral system for hospitals
- Implementing a bed vacancy monitoring system
- Improving workplace conditions with proper facilities
- Increasing police protection in hospitals to prevent attacks on healthcare workers
- Recruiting permanent women police personnel
- Swiftly filling vacant positions for doctors, nurses, and other healthcare workers
These demands have been driven by ongoing incidents of violence against healthcare workers and administrative failures within the state-run hospitals.
Government’s Response and Junior Doctors’ Persistence
The West Bengal government has so far remained largely silent on the demands of the junior doctors. The government has denied receiving the mass resignation letters submitted by over 50 senior doctors earlier this week. However, the junior doctors have remained steadfast in their resolve, continuing their fast and protests at various Puja pandals to amplify their demands for justice and healthcare reform.
As the protests continue, the junior doctors have emphasized that they will not relent until their demands are met. Their protests, now extending into one of Kolkata’s largest cultural celebrations, are a testament to their determination.
Disclaimer:
This article is based on publicly available information regarding the ongoing protests by junior doctors in Kolkata and their demands for healthcare reform. The content is for informational purposes and does not represent the opinions of any organization or government body.
