Citizens join MCH mass convention, stand by protesting junior doctors
Times of India | 27 August 2024
Kolkata: After 17 days of agitation the protesting junior doctors called a mass convention on Monday to take the opinion of the society on how they could sustain their protest. The junior doctors said they would take inputs and chart their next course of action — whether to continue with the full-fledged cease work or partial return to work. They have also called for a mass rally on Sep 1.
“We also want to go back to work while keeping the agitation on.We will hold another round of general body meetings with representatives from all medical colleges before we decide our next course of action,” said a representative from RG Kar Hospital.
Called by the recently formed West Bengal Junior Doctors’ Front (WBJDF), the convention was attended by the likes of educationist Miratun Nahar, intellectual Bolan Gangopadhyay, senior doctors including Binayak Sen and representation from Tollywood, including Jeetu Kamal and Sohini Sarkar. All said that the agitation was justified and they would stand by the junior doctors.
“This is a sensitive issue which has appealed to the masses. A common agitation site at a prominent location with participation from doctors and the civil society could sustain the movement. This could be a way to keep the heat up while normalising patient care services,” physiology professor Arnab Sengupta of IPGMER suggested.
Even as the agitation began with demand for justice, the junior doctors have added new demands that include Kolkata Police CP’s resignation as alleging that the police had failed to protect them from the mob vandalism while being not proactive in response to the crime.
“The focus of the investigation seems to have shifted towards corruption charges against Sandip Ghosh. We must remember that our primary demand is the arrest of all those involved in that crime and their exemplary punishment,” said respiratory medicine professor Jaydip Deb of the Association of Chest Physicians of West Bengal. The victim was a part of this organisation.
A few days ago, health department officials had convened a meeting with various doctors’ organisations to convince the junior doctors to resume work. “We understand hospitals are unable to provide services on the same scale as it was before the agitation. How can we appeal to them to wind up their agitation when they are yet to see the light of justice,” said senior physician Punyabrata Gun of Joint Platform of Doctors.