National Desk, 1st October: Junior doctors in West Bengal have resumed their indefinite “total cease work” as of October 1, amplifying their demands for improved safety and security in medical establishments. This escalation follows their partial return to duties after a 42-day protest sparked by the tragic rape and murder of a trainee doctor at Kolkata’s RG Kar Medical Centre and Hospital.
During their earlier protests, the junior doctors expressed deep anguish over the slow progress of investigations related to the RG Kar case. They highlighted that, despite the passage of 50 days since the incident, only a small fraction of the necessary CCTV cameras have been installed in state-run hospitals. They also cited recent attacks on medical personnel, such as the incident at Sagar Dutta Medical College and Hospital, as evidence of inadequate security measures for healthcare workers.
In a statement, the protesting doctors expressed their dissatisfaction with the government’s response, stating, “We are feeling unsafe, and the promised dissolution of ‘Rogi Kalyan Committees’ at state-run hospitals has not taken place as assured by Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee.” They have demanded the immediate removal of the state’s health secretary, citing a lack of progress on the assurances given by the government.
“It’s been ten days since we resumed work, but none of the assurances have been fulfilled,” they lamented. “We see no progress in creating a fearless working environment in government-run hospitals. Therefore, we are resuming a full cease work today until our demands are met.”
As part of their renewed protest, the junior doctors have organized a march from College Square to Dharmatala in central Kolkata, scheduled for Wednesday, and have invited the public to join their cause. They reaffirmed that justice for the trainee doctor remains a priority and must be addressed promptly without dragging through a prolonged judicial process.
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