Kolkata: Junior medical doctors in West Bengal continued their indefinite starvation strike for the sixth consecutive day, drawing help from a number of senior medical doctors throughout the nation and prompting the Indian Medical Affiliation (IMA) to induce Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee to intervene earlier than the state of affairs escalates.
The continued agitation has additionally led the Federation of All India Medical Affiliation (FAIMA) to warn that it might declare a nationwide “full shutdown of medical companies” if any “any hurt befalls courageous junior medical doctors”.
The agitating medical doctors are demanding justice for his or her murdered colleague at RG Kar Medical Faculty and Hospital, together with a safer working surroundings and different necessary points.
On Friday, IMA nationwide president RV Asokan met the fasting junior medical doctors to listen to their considerations.
After visiting one other junior medic admitted to RG Kar hospital, he expressed his admiration for the protesters, stating, “I’m touched by the best way these kids are preventing for the reason for the folks and never for themselves. They’re the actual heroes, and we’re all very pleased with them.”
Asokan referred to as on the CM to handle the state of affairs “with out losing any extra time.” He famous that whereas the junior medical doctors didn’t focus on ending their quick, they remained targeted on their calls for and assured of their pursuit of justice for his or her late colleague.
“They didn’t discuss a lot about withdrawing the quick however targeted on their calls for and the detached perspective of the state authorities in the direction of their motion. They’re fairly assured about carrying ahead their protest and get justice for the deceased girl physician,” he stated.
In a present of solidarity, the junior medical doctors inspired the general public to watch “Arandhan” (no cooking) on Ekadashi, coinciding with the completion of their seven-day quick. “When our freedom fighters had been on starvation strike, the frequent folks noticed ‘Arandhan’ of their help,” one physician defined.
In response to the protesting medical doctors’ latest mail, chief secretary Manoj Pant offered a standing report on varied healthcare initiatives in West Bengal, outlining in depth security enhancements being applied, together with the set up of over 7,000 CCTVs, new obligation rooms, and higher amenities throughout medical faculties.
“To boost the protection and safety of medical professionals, in depth infrastructural developments are underway throughout varied medical faculties. We’re putting in a complete of seven,051 CCTVs, 893 new obligation rooms and 778 washrooms. Moreover, correct lighting preparations, alarm techniques and biometric entry management can also be being applied throughout all medical faculties and hospitals state-wide,” Pant wrote.
Because the starvation strike continued, a number of senior medics and group members joined the junior medical doctors at Esplanade, the place a big crowd gathered, chanting, “We wish justice, we demand justice.
In the meantime, the well being situation of Aniket Mahato, a junior physician who has been hospitalised after his situation deteriorated resulting from his quick since Sunday, is reported to be “vital however steady,” with indicators of enchancment.
He started responding to therapy, in accordance with a member of the five-doctor staff monitoring him within the vital care unit. He was admitted to the state-run hospital on Thursday evening.
Concerning the six different junior medical doctors on starvation strike since Saturday evening, their well being can also be declining, although they continue to be decided to protest.
“That is the sixth consecutive day of fasting, so it is pure their situation will worsen. Nevertheless, they’re decided to proceed their protest,” stated one of many agitating medical doctors, Debasish Halder.
An ICU ambulance has been stationed close by for speedy response in case of any additional deterioration.
In the meantime, consultants on the Fortis Group of Hospitals have stated they’ll droop all non-emergency companies beginning October 12 (Saturday), in accordance with an announcement launched by the organisation.
In a associated improvement, the Calcutta Excessive Courtroom granted interim bail to 9 youths arrested for elevating “We wish justice” slogans exterior a Durga Puja marquee on October 9. The youths had been remanded to seven days of police custody earlier.
The junior medical doctors are demanding justice for his or her murdered colleague and the rapid removing of Well being Secretary NS Nigam.
Additionally they search the institution of a centralised referral system for hospitals, a mattress emptiness monitoring system, elevated police safety in hospitals, and the swift filling of vacant healthcare positions.
The medical doctors initially ceased work following the rape and homicide of a fellow medic on August 9 and ended a earlier 42-day strike on September 21 after receiving assurances from the state authorities.
