West Bengal Government Removes Directors of Medical Education and Health Services Amid Protests

The West Bengal government has dismissed Dr. Kaustav Nayak and Dr. Debasish Halder from their positions as Director of Medical Education (DME) and Director of Health Services (DHS), respectively, according to a health department order issued on Tuesday. This decision came after Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee met with junior doctors who have been protesting for 39 days in response to the rape-murder of a postgraduate trainee doctor.

During a meeting on Monday night, Banerjee assured the protesting junior doctors that action would be taken against Nayak and Halder. In their place, Dr. Swapan Soren has been appointed as the new in-charge director of health services, while Dr. Suparna Dutta will serve as the officer on special duty for medical education.

Following their removal, Nayak will assume the role of Director at the Institute of Health and Family Welfare, and Halder will take on the position of officer on special duty for public health at Swasthya Bhawan.

The junior doctors have been on a ‘cease work’ strike, demanding the resignation of the DHS, DME, and the Health Secretary, citing their alleged involvement in corruption within the state health sector. The protests have gained significant attention and highlight ongoing concerns about safety and governance in the healthcare system.