West Bengal doctors' hunger strike continues as talks with Govt fail

Kolkata: The talks between the West Bengal government and 12 forums of agitating senior doctors ended without resolution as the fast-unto-death by junior doctors continues, calling for justice for the postgraduate trainee at RG Kar Medical College Hospital.

The talks aimed at restoring health services and bringing relief to public failed on a day when the indefinite fast unto death by the junior doctors of state-owned hospitals entered the 10th day.

Out Patient Department services in state-owned hospitals across the state have been hit with the agitating doctors demanding justice for their colleague who was raped and murdered in RG Kar Hospital on August 9. They have also raised other demands including safe workplace.

Also Read:IMA to hold nationwide hunger strike on October 15 in support of Bengal Doctors

As a symbol of solidarity with agitating junior doctors, many senior doctors also resigned en masse but the state government refused to accept their resignation calling them invalid.

According to a UNI report, after the meeting on Monday, Pant told reporters that out of the 10-point demands of agitating doctors seven have either been met or are being implemented under supervision of officials as directed by the Supreme Court.

Pant said the other three demands of the doctors fell in the state administration's domain and no timeline could be given for them as demanded by the medics in the meeting.  

The three demands include the removal of Health Secretary Narayan Swaroop Nigam, and the sacking of Dr Sudipto Roy, who is at the helm of West Bengal Health Recruitment Board and West Bengal Medical Council, over alleged corruption and initiation of investigation.

Pant also urged the junior doctors to withdraw the fast and resume duty and added that the government was concerned and committed to improvement in the health sector, news agency UNI reported.

Meanwhile, the Indian Medical Association's junior doctors front has called a 12-hour nationwide hunger strike on Tuesday in support of the indefinite fast of the West Bengal Junior Doctors Front.

IMA, Bengal unit representative Ranjan Bhattacharya, after the meeting, said it was frustrating as the government was allegedly unprepared to hold such a meeting in the absence of the health secretary.

Meanwhile, the Junior Doctors Front on Monday organised a march towards Raj Bhavan seeking intervention of Governor C V Ananda Bose, who has consented to meet a junior doctors delegation.

Meanwhile, one more fasting junior doctor, Kulastha Acharyra, was admitted to a city hospital.

So far, four junior medics have been admitted to different hospitals in the past 72 hours since their fast unto death started on October 5.

Now six junior medics in Kolkata and one in North Bengal are on fast. Besides, 32 senior medics are on symbolic fast at Esplanade.

Also Read:RG Kar Case: Junior doctors' hunger strike enters 10th day, Govt calls for meeting