On Saturday, West Bengal Chief Secretary Manoj Panth and Home Secretary Nanadini Chakraborty called upon the junior doctors sitting on an indefinite hunger strike entering into 15th day. During these days, many protesting doctors have been falling sick and were admitted to hospitals for immediate help. Their health conditions were stated to be “critical but stable”.
Both Panth and Chakraborty, urged the doctors to call off their fasting stating that the state government was concerned about the condition of their health. The negotiations continued for some time.
Panth contacted Chief Minister also the Health Minister Mamata Banerjee which went as per planning. However, Mamata Banerjee agreed to all the demands except the removal of Chief Health Secretary Narayan Swaroop Nigam. Banerjee requested the doctors to allow her three to four months to implement all the changes.
She repeatedly requested the doctors to call off the fast, “It my humble request to you all to call off your fast, we are concerned about your health. I have accepted all the points you had shared.”
“Doctors are our pride, remember state government take pains. You should get back to your work and call off the fast. I request you all with folded hands.” “Rise above politics and rejoin work. People are now asking for justice. You now do justice to them. People deserve treatment, if they don’t get treatment at government hospitals then they would move to private hospitals and nursing home.”
Mamata Banerjee invited the doctors for talk across the table on Monday 5 pm at Nabanna.
However, the protesting doctors made no commitment but said they would inform the state government after they hold talks among themselves.
