Sources said that the Supreme Court’s hearing could significantly influence the junior doctors’ decision on whether to continue their strike indefinitely or not.
The junior doctors partially lifted their cease work last Sunday (September 21) after a month-long strike and several rounds of talks with the state government over the security measures in the hospitals and medical colleges.
The chief minister has repeatedly assured us of our safety by implementing an SOP and installing an adequate number of CCTVs on the campuses. When our female colleagues were attacked by a mob on Friday evening at Sagore Dutta hospital, there were only a few cops who stood as mute spectators. So, where is our promised security,” asked a junior doctor.
“The horrific rape-murder that took place at RG Kar Medical College has left us in shock. We hoped to break this vicious cycle. Yet, we find ourselves feeling wronged once more,” said another junior doctor.
Aniket Mahato, president of Resident Doctors’ Association said: “What happened at Sagore Dutta Medical College and Hospital is unfortunate. The patient was admitted. Her condition turned critical. The doctors needed a few things that weren’t available…
Infrastructural failure caused the death, but nurses and doctors were assaulted. So who should be held accountable,” asked Mahato, adding a police outpost was set up on the campus barely a fortnight ago.
On Saturday night, the WBJDF announced to go on a cease work from Monday evening after three doctors and three nurses were assaulted following the death of a patient at the Sagore Dutta Hospital.
WBJDF leader Debashish Halder said: “We want to give some time to the state government. If the situation does not change, we will start a complete cease work again from Monday evening.”
In the wake of the month-long protest by junior doctors, Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee last Thursday announced that police will conduct a security audit of all the medical colleges and hospital. She also disbanded all patient welfare committees.
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