GG News Bureau
Kolkata, 21st Sept. Junior doctors in West Bengal have partially resumed their duties at various government-run hospitals after a 42-day hiatus. Their protest was sparked by the tragic rape and murder of a female doctor on duty at RG Kar Medical College and Hospital.
The doctors have returned to work in essential and emergency services at state-run hospitals, but outpatient departments (OPDs) remain closed. Aniket Mahato, a representative of the protesting doctors, confirmed the partial resumption, stating, “Our colleagues have started returning to their respective departments today in essential and emergency services, but not at the OPDs. This is only a partial resumption of duties.”
In a show of commitment to public health, some doctors have also traveled to flood-affected districts to establish “Abhaya clinics” (medical camps), providing care to those in need. Emergency services have largely returned to normal in various hospitals, much to the relief of patients who had struggled to receive care during the protest. “It is a great relief for us. We support their cause, but it had become very difficult for regular patients to get treatment for the last month,” said Dipankar Jana, a patient at Bankura Medical College and Hospital.
Aheli Chowdhury, a junior doctor at one of the flood relief clinics, noted a positive response from the community: “We have received very good responses in these clinics. We are ready to provide 24/7 service; it is our commitment.”
The junior doctors have stated they will wait another seven days for the administration to address their demands for justice for the deceased doctor and the removal of the state health secretary. If their demands are not met, they have threatened to resume their ‘cease work.’
The protest began on August 9, following the discovery of the body of a woman medic at RG Kar Medical College and Hospital. The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) is currently investigating the case and has arrested several individuals, including Sandip Ghosh, the former principal of the hospital, in connection with the investigation.
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