50 Senior Doctors Resign Amid Junior Doctors’ Protest at Kolkata Hospital
In a dramatic turn of events, 50 senior doctors at Kolkata’s RG Kar Medical College and Hospital resigned on Monday in support of the ongoing protest by junior doctors. The protest erupted following the rape and murder of a postgraduate trainee doctor on the hospital premises.
The junior doctors, who have been on a hunger strike since Saturday, are demanding justice for their deceased colleague and raising concerns over the safety and working conditions in medical institutions across the state.
Junior Doctors Demand Justice and Safer Work Environment
The protesting junior doctors have put forth a set of demands, including justice for their slain colleague, the establishment of a centralised referral system for hospitals, and improved security measures at medical facilities. They are also calling for the implementation of a bed vacancy monitoring system and the formation of task forces to address issues related to CCTV surveillance, on-call rooms, and washrooms at their workplaces. Other demands include increased police presence, recruitment of permanent female police officers, and the immediate filling of vacant positions for doctors and healthcare workers.
The senior doctors’ mass resignation came after repeated appeals to the authorities yielded no response. Visuals on social media showed students clapping in support as the 50 senior faculty members submitted their resignations in protest against the administration’s inaction.
Ongoing Crisis Amid Durga Puja Festivities
The incident has marred the festive spirit of Durga Puja in Kolkata, as the city grapples with the tragic loss of the young doctor. Despite the festivities, the issue has drawn widespread attention, with doctors demanding stronger measures for safety and accountability within the healthcare system.
Earlier in the day, 15 senior doctors also joined the protest by staging a symbolic hunger strike alongside their junior colleagues. The protest highlights the growing discontent among healthcare workers over safety issues and the alleged lack of response from authorities.
Government Urges Doctors to Return to Work
West Bengal Chief Secretary Manoj Pant addressed the situation on Monday, assuring that 90% of ongoing projects at medical colleges would be completed by next month. He urged the protesting doctors to return to work, acknowledging their demand for a safer working environment.
“I am requesting everyone to come back to work and provide services to the people. Some have already returned. We are working towards improving the environment and delivering on promises made by the government,” he said, urging for a resolution and emphasizing the administration’s intent to enhance safety measures.
The junior doctors initiated their ‘cease work’ protest following the horrific murder of the postgraduate trainee doctor on August 9 during her duty hours at the hospital. The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI), which is probing the case, has charged Sanjoy Roy, a former contractual staff member with Kolkata Police, with rape and murder.
