The junior doctors of West Bengal continue to sit on fast unto death for the nine consecutive day. The health condition of the doctors are deteriorating with every passing day. The junior doctor’s forum has decided to go on a two day token strike from Monday morning. However, they would attend the emergency.
Earlier, the health of junior doctor Dr Aniket Mahato turned serious and he was removed to RG Kar Medical College and Hospital where the doctors said that his condition was serious as his kidney and liver were having problems. Dr Alok Verma was the next to get admitted after he fell sick. On Saturday late evening, another junior doctor Dr Anushtup Mukherjee was rushed to hospital after he had complained of stomachache and other ailments. Immediately he was removed to RG Kar by creating a green corridor enrooted to hospital to beat the Puja rush on the way. All these doctors are said to critical but stable. They have been kept under supervision of medical board who are monitoring the condition of these doctors.
The junior doctors have been sitting on fast in their 10 point demand predominantly asking for safety and security of young doctors especially female doctors who have to spend long hours in the hospital. “We have no problem with that but all we need is safety and security as none of us want another RG Kar to happen,” said one of the protesting doctors.
“How many more doctors do the state government want to be admitted in the hospital? Not to worry because we will not give up. If the government thinks that the protest would crash after doctors fall sick then let me tell you that there are many more Dr Aniket Mahato, Dr Alok Verma and Dr Anushtup Mukherjee, who would take the movement further,” said Dr Debashis, a protesting doctor.
The Indian Medical Association (IMA) has stepped-in and has requested Chief Minister and Health Minister Mamata Banerjee to take step to resolve the situation before things go out of hand. Mass resignation by doctors, faculty has already already become a concern as soon the government hospitals would go without doctors.
Mamata Banerjee had promised to fulfill the demands but has not kept her word which has compelled the doctors to sit on fast and hold strikes. Banerjee who happens to the Health Minister remains silent. She found time to inaugurate Durga Puja, play ‘dhak’ and dance to ‘dandiya’ tunes but not even for once turned up at the venue in Dharmatala, heart of Kolkata.
