In a shocking escalation of protests, junior doctors at RG Kar Medical College and Hospital in Kolkata have started on a ‘fast-unto-death’ to demand justice for a fellow medic who was tragically raped and murdered in August. The incident has cast a dark shadow over the hospital and has ignited fierce agitation among the medical community, with junior doctors asserting their demands for safety and reform within the healthcare system.
Measuring the gravity of the situation, over 50 senior doctors submitted their resignations in solidarity with the junior doctors, marking a significant show of unity against the backdrop of this tragic event. Visuals on social media depicted a sombre atmosphere, with students applauding as their mentors resigned. This mass resignation is a powerful statement, highlighting the severity of the circumstances surrounding their colleague’s death and the urgent need for systemic change.
The junior doctors have been on hunger strike since Saturday, voicing their demands against an allegedly corrupt and unsafe healthcare environment. Their calls for justice are not just about the tragic loss of their colleague; they encompass broader systemic changes. Their demands include a centralised referral system for hospitals, the implementation of a bed vacancy monitoring system, and the establishment of task forces to ensure essential facilities like CCTV, on-call rooms, and washrooms are available for medical staff.
Moreover, they are calling for increased police protection in hospitals, the recruitment of permanent women police personnel, and the immediate filling of vacant positions for doctors, nurses, and other essential healthcare workers. The lack of safety and support for healthcare professionals has become alarmingly clear, as highlighted by the recent attack on medics by a patient’s family at the College of Medicine and Sagore Dutta Hospital.
Despite the ongoing protests, West Bengal Chief Secretary Manoj Pant has urged the junior doctors to return to work, assuring them that significant progress is being made regarding their demands. He stated that 90 per cent of the ongoing projects in the state’s medical colleges are expected to be completed by next month, emphasising the government’s commitment to improving the environment for healthcare professionals. However, the junior doctors remain unconvinced, emphasising that their safety and the justice for their deceased colleague must be prioritized.
The tragic murder of the postgraduate trainee doctor at RG Kar Medical College and Hospital on August 9 has rattled the medical community and the general public alike. The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) is currently investigating the case, having charged a suspect, Sanjoy Roy, who was previously contracted with Kolkata Police. The need for immediate action against such heinous acts has become a rallying cry for the junior doctors.
As the protests continue, the doctors plan to hold a rally from College Square to Esplanade to further amplify their demands. The ongoing agitation comes at a sensitive time during the Durga Puja festivities, reflecting the pervasive tension within the community. Amid the celebrations, the spectre of violence and injustice looms large, underscoring the critical need for a more robust and supportive healthcare system.
In summary, the protests led by junior doctors at RG Kar Medical College and Hospital are not merely a reaction to a tragic incident; they are a clarion call for systemic change within the healthcare sector. The unity displayed by senior doctors and the unwavering resolve of their junior colleagues illustrates the urgent need for reforms to ensure safety, accountability, and respect for medical professionals in West Bengal. The situation remains fluid, and the outcome of this agitation could have far-reaching implications for healthcare in the region.