In a significant escalation of the ongoing healthcare crisis in West Bengal, talks between the state government and senior doctors representing ten medical organizations failed to resolve the impasse, leaving junior doctors to continue their indefinite hunger strike. This strike, initiated on October 4, seeks justice for the victim of the August 9 rape and murder case at Kolkata’s RG Kar Medical College and Hospital, alongside demands for systemic reforms.
The hunger strike is being led by seven junior doctors from various hospitals, following a serious health scare involving one of their members, Tanaya Panja, who was hospitalized on Monday night. The ongoing strike has already seen four other participants requiring hospitalization. In a show of solidarity, the Junior Doctors’ Network of the Indian Medical Association has called for a nationwide 12-hour hunger strike at all medical colleges and hospitals on Tuesday, coinciding with the Supreme Court’s review of the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI)’s inquiry into the incident.
Chief Secretary Manoj Pant described the two-and-a-half-hour meeting with senior doctors as “some progress,” stating that the state is working on seven of the ten demands raised by the junior doctors. However, junior doctors are dissatisfied with the government’s lack of commitment to a timeline for addressing their concerns and are particularly frustrated by the absence of Health Secretary N. S. Nigam from the negotiations.
Dr. Manas Gumta, a representative from the Joint Platform of Doctors, criticized the meeting as a “meaningless exercise,” arguing that without the health secretary present, discussions lacked substance. The junior doctors’ demands include the removal of Health Secretary Nigam and Dr. Sudipta Roy, who leads the West Bengal Medical Council, as well as a complete overhaul of the recruitment system.
While the hunger strike continues outside Rani Rashmoni Avenue in Kolkata, junior doctors staged a protest procession to Raj Bhawan, expressing their discontent with the CBI’s handling of the case. Despite the CBI’s investigation leading to the arrest of a prime suspect, the junior doctors remain skeptical about the adequacy of the probe.
During a separate meeting, the governor, C. V. Ananda Bose, was unavailable for discussions, further exacerbating tensions. Dr. Hiralal Konar, one of the conveners of the hunger strike, affirmed their intent to hold a planned “droho carnival” on Tuesday, despite government requests to postpone it due to concerns that it may disrupt the Durga idol immersion ceremony, an important cultural event in West Bengal.
The ongoing crisis has prompted medical staff at over a dozen private hospitals to participate in cease work actions in non-emergency departments. Government doctors at Birbhum district hospital have also initiated a 48-hour cease work to protest the current conditions.
The situation remains tense as the government urges the junior doctors to return to work while they continue their protests demanding justice and systemic reforms in the healthcare sector. As the healthcare crisis unfolds, public pressure is mounting on the state government to address the concerns of medical professionals and ensure the safety and integrity of the healthcare system in West Bengal.
