The hunger strike by junior doctors in West Bengal, demanding justice and workplace security following the tragic RG Kar Medical College incident, has entered its 10th day. On Monday, another doctor was hospitalized after his health deteriorated, highlighting the worsening condition of the medics involved in the protest.
Pulastha Acharya, a junior doctor from NRS Medical College and Hospital, was admitted to the hospital’s critical care unit (CCU) on Sunday night after he complained of severe stomach pain, according to officials. His condition has worsened, raising concerns over the health of the other doctors continuing the fast-unto-death protest.
A senior doctor at NRS Medical College said, “Pulastha is in the CCU, and his health parameters have deteriorated. A medical board has been formed to provide him the necessary treatment.”
Acharya is the latest medic to be hospitalized after participating in the hunger strike. Three other junior doctors, who have been on strike in Kolkata and Siliguri, were previously hospitalized due to their deteriorating health conditions. Despite the serious health risks, the hunger strike continues, with the junior doctors steadfast in their demands.
State Government’s Response
As the protest intensifies, West Bengal Chief Secretary Manoj Pant reached out to the Joint Platform of Doctors (JPD) on Sunday, urging them to call off a planned demonstration set for October 15. Pant emphasized that the demonstration coincides with the state government’s annual Durga Pujo Carnival, an important cultural event. He further invited the JPD to a meeting at Swasthya Bhawan, the state health department’s headquarters, on Monday to discuss the doctors’ grievances and demands.
In an email, Pant also requested that the JPD “advise” the junior doctors to end their hunger strike in the interest of their health and well-being.
However, the JPD expressed deep disappointment in a statement issued on Monday. The doctors criticized the government’s decision to proceed with the Durga Pujo Carnival while doctors and citizens are demanding justice and a safer healthcare system.
The JPD’s statement read: “Junior doctors have been on hunger strike for 10 days, with three of them now in the ICU, yet the government prioritizes celebrations over addressing these grave concerns.” The statement emphasized that while the junior doctors respect the right to celebrate the festival, they also have the right to peaceful, democratic protest.
“It is disheartening that the government has asked us to withdraw the call of ‘Droher Carnival’ (demonstration) on October 15, which was intended to show solidarity with the agitating junior doctors,” the JPD added.
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Key Demands of the Protesting Doctors
The junior doctors’ demands stem from the shocking rape and murder of a postgraduate trainee inside the RG Kar Medical College and Hospital on August 9. They are calling for justice for the victim and immediate action from the state government, including the removal of Health Secretary N.S. Nigam.
Their other demands focus on workplace security and systemic reforms in the healthcare system, including:
- The establishment of a centralized referral system for all hospitals and medical colleges in the state.
- The implementation of a bed vacancy monitoring system to ensure efficient use of hospital resources.
- The formation of task forces to ensure essential provisions such as CCTV installations, on-call rooms, and washrooms for healthcare professionals.
The hunger strike, which began on October 5, followed nearly 50 days of cease work in two phases, underscoring the seriousness of the ongoing agitation.
A Standoff Between Celebration and Protest
The state government’s call for the junior doctors to withdraw their demonstration during the Durga Pujo Carnival has led to a standoff between the administration and the healthcare workers. The carnival, a celebration of West Bengal’s rich cultural heritage, is set to take place on October 15, and the government hopes to avoid any disruption during the festivities.
The junior doctors, however, have made it clear that they do not seek to cancel the carnival but will continue to demand reforms and protections for healthcare workers, emphasizing the importance of their struggle.
As the hunger strike enters its 10th day, with more medics being hospitalized, the state government faces increasing pressure to address the concerns of the junior doctors before the situation escalates further. With the health of the protesting doctors deteriorating, the urgency to resolve the issue is greater than ever.
