Kolkata: Junior doctors in West Bengal held an urgent meeting late Thursday to determine their next steps amid calls from senior medical professionals to reconsider their complete work stoppage due to the ongoing suffering of patients.
The junior doctors resumed their strike on October 1 after an attack on medical staff by a patient’s family at the College of Medicine & Sagore Dutta Hospital in late September.
Aniket Mahato, one of the protesting doctors, stated, “We will hold a general body meeting at R G Kar Hospital shortly. It may take some time, but we will announce our decision by early tomorrow morning.”
When asked about the possibility of partially withdrawing their agitation given the distress faced by patients, the ongoing flooding, and the approaching Durga Puja festival, Mahato replied, “We will discuss everything. It’s important to assess the current situation, especially since our demands for enhanced security have not yet been met by the government.”
While some senior doctors have suggested that junior medics resume partial services, such as outpatient care, the “total cease work” will remain in effect until the West Bengal Junior Doctors’ Front formally announces a change in strategy.
Maitrayee Bandyopadhyay, head of the microbiology department at RG Kar Hospital, expressed her view, saying, “We all want justice for the doctor who was tragically raped and murdered. I recommend that junior doctors partially withdraw their cease work to provide emergency and outpatient services while continuing their agitation.”
Previously, junior doctors had conducted a complete strike for 41 days following the August 9 rape and murder of a fellow medic at RG Kar Medical College and Hospital. They resumed essential services on September 21 after discussions with state officials aimed at improving safety.
However, following the recent attack on doctors and nurses at Sagore Dutta Hospital, tensions have escalated once more. Eminent cardiologist Kunal Sarkar has also urged junior doctors to partially return to work, highlighting the public support they have received and the detrimental impact of a total work stoppage on patient care.
In a statement earlier this week, the West Bengal Junior Doctors’ Front reiterated their stance: “We are compelled to return to a full cease work. Unless the government takes clear action regarding safety, patient services, and the politics of fear, we will have no choice but to continue our full strike.”
