August 12th 2024.
The city of Kolkata was in turmoil on Monday as hospitals across West Bengal faced disruptions due to the ongoing strike by junior doctors, interns, and postgraduate trainees. This was the fourth consecutive day of their protest, which was sparked by the tragic rape and murder of a fellow woman doctor. The protesting doctors are demanding a fair and impartial investigation into the incident, either by the CBI or a sitting magistrate. They are dissatisfied with the current police investigation and have refused to resume their duties, including emergency services, until justice is served.
The situation took a dramatic turn on Monday morning when sources revealed that even emergency duties were no longer being attended to by the junior doctors. One of the protesting doctors from RG Kar Medical College & Hospital in Kolkata, where the incident took place, stated that they are determined to continue their protest until the state government ensures foolproof security for all doctors and healthcare workers. The principal of the Medical College, Dr. Sandip Ghosh, also resigned on Monday, in an attempt to pacify the protesting medical students and house staff who had been demanding his resignation on moral grounds.
In his resignation, Dr. Ghosh appealed to the protesting students and house staff to withdraw their demonstrations and resume normal operations at the hospital. He stated that he had been a victim of a political conspiracy and that his resignation was the desire of the students and the state. However, the protesting doctors are not satisfied with this verbal announcement and are demanding a written resignation from Dr. Ghosh. They have also released a four-point demand, which includes increased security for doctors and capital punishment for the perpetrator.
The strike has received widespread support from medical associations across the country, with the Federation of Resident Doctors' Association of India calling for a nationwide halt of elective services on Monday. The West Bengal Doctors Forum has also appealed to Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee for an impartial inquiry committee to investigate the rape and murder of the doctor. The ongoing protests have led to the cancellation of leave for all senior doctors in the state, who have been instructed to handle the patient influx until the situation stabilizes.
The body of the victim, a second-year post-graduate student, was found in a seminar hall of the hospital on Friday morning. A civic volunteer was arrested in connection with the heinous crime on Saturday. However, the protesting doctors believe that there were associates involved in the incident and are determined to continue their agitation until their demands are met. The situation remains tense as the state government and the protesting doctors try to come to a resolution.
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