NEW DELHI: Protesting junior doctors in Kolkata called off their “total cease work” on Friday and resumed their service while also issuing a 24-hour ultimatum to the Mamata Banerjee government to meet their demands or else they would launch an indefinite hunger strike.
The doctors had called for “total cease work” demanding better safety and security at medical facilities.
The now-called-off strike, which began on October 1, followed an earlier partial return to work on September 21 after a 42-day protest.
The initial protest was triggered by the rape and murder of a trainee woman doctor at Kolkata’s RG Kar Medical College and Hospital on August 9.
“Considering the well-being of the patients, we’ve decided to call off the ‘total cease work’, but we are not doing this due to the fear of (West Bengal) government. If our demands are not met within 24 hours, we will be forced to go on a hunger strike,” said an agitating junior doctor to news agency PTI.
The doctor also alleged that one of their colleagues was assaulted by the police during their protest march earlier today.
On Wednesday, a protest march was organised by the Junior Doctors’ Front in Kolkata, demanding justice for a medic who was raped and murdered.
The march, which began at College Street and ended in Esplanade area, was joined by thousands of junior doctors and people from various walks of life. The protesters vowed to continue their agitation until the government takes decisive action.
The Bengal Junior Doctors’ Front has raised several demands, including the installation of CCTV cameras on hospital premises, round-the-clock security for healthcare workers, and stricter protocols to prevent incidents of violence against medical professionals.
The doctors have also highlighted the culture of fear and intimidation within state-run hospitals, alleging that the administration has not provided a safe working environment.
“We joined our profession to serve the people, but how can we do so when we constantly live in fear? We don’t feel safe in the very places where we are supposed to save lives,” said another junior doctor.
Despite initial promises by the West Bengal government to address the doctors’ concerns, the agitating doctors claim that there has been little follow-up action.
The government’s attempts to broker peace with the doctors have so far been unsuccessful, with state officials urging the medics to return to work and suggesting that police investigations into the alleged murder of the junior doctor are ongoing.