In a significant show of solidarity, 50 senior doctors from RG Kar Medical College and Hospital in Kolkata have resigned to support the ongoing protest by junior doctors. This decision comes in the wake of the tragic rape and murder of a trainee doctor, which has intensified demands for better working conditions and safety measures within the institution.
Junior Doctors’ Demands and Ongoing Hunger Strike
The junior doctors have been on hunger strike since Saturday, advocating for justice for their colleague and addressing issues related to campus safety and hospital management. Their key demands include:
- Establishment of a centralized referral system for all hospitals and medical colleges in the state
- Implementation of a bed vacancy monitoring system
- Formation of task forces to ensure essential provisions, including CCTV, on-call rooms, and washrooms at their workplaces
- Increased police protection in hospitals
- Recruitment of permanent women police personnel
- Swift filling of vacant positions for doctors, nurses, and other healthcare workers
The mass resignation was prompted by a lack of response from authorities to address these pressing concerns. Earlier, around 15 senior doctors had joined their junior counterparts in a symbolic hunger strike.
Government Response and Context
The protests come during the Durga Puja festivities in Kolkata, which have been overshadowed by the recent incident. West Bengal Chief Secretary Manoj Pant stated that 90% of ongoing projects at medical colleges would be completed by next month and urged the protesting doctors to return to work. “I am requesting everyone to come back to work and give services to the people,” he said, emphasizing the government’s commitment to creating a safer environment for medical professionals.
The agitation was reignited following the rape and murder of a postgraduate trainee doctor, whose body was discovered on August 9 while she was on duty. The case is under investigation by the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI), which has charged a former contractual staff member of the Kolkata Police with the crime. After a previous 42-day protest ended on September 21, junior doctors renewed their demands with a total cease work on October 1, following an attack on medics at another hospital.
As tensions rise, the future of medical services at RG Kar Hospital hangs in the balance, with the potential for further escalation in protests if their demands remain unmet.
