Doctors' Association Urges Mamata Banerjee for Immediate Healthcare Reforms
Kolkata: A day before West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee’s scheduled meeting with healthcare professionals, a coalition of doctors, including the Joint Platform of Doctors and Abhaya Mancha, submitted a letter demanding urgent reforms in the state’s healthcare system. The letter highlighted significant deficiencies, citing corruption, staff shortages, and political interference as major concerns.
“We still believe that if transparent and rational administrative decisions are made without delay, it is certainly possible to restore the lost dignity of the healthcare system through permanent, scientific reforms and restructuring,” the letter stated.
The brutal rape and murder of a trainee doctor at Kolkata’s RG Kar Medical College and Hospital last year underscored deep-rooted issues in the system, further intensifying calls for reform. The doctors accused key regulatory bodies, such as the West Bengal Medical Council, the State Health University, and the Health Recruitment Board, of fostering an autocratic and oppressive environment that stifles ethical governance and transparency, reports the Daily.
The situation is particularly dire in medical education institutions, where staffing fails to meet National Medical Council standards. The letter also criticized the government’s handling of doctors’ working hours and the ongoing “practice/non-practice” debate, arguing that medical services cannot be equated with routine bureaucratic jobs. Instead, they urged the administration to address the root causes of the crisis and implement sustainable reforms.
Recruitment in the healthcare sector has been stalled for years, with delays attributed to the OBC reservation case. The doctors argued that if the government had the will, appointments could have been made within the legal framework. The ongoing staffing crisis has placed excessive pressure on existing medical professionals, leading to widespread burnout and frustration. “Furthermore, an immediate action plan for mental health support for overburdened medical professionals is essential. The failure to address these issues will jeopardise millions of lives and erode public trust,” reads the letter.
