‘Cease-work will go on unless there’s clear action from govt’
Times of India | 2 October 2024
Kolkata: The junior doctors have set a 10-point charter of demands revolving around the security at hospitals, threat culture and patient care services. They have also demanded removal of the health secretary, investigation into corruption in West Bengal Medical Council and West Bengal Health Recruitment Board, as well as student council elections in all medical colleges.
They said unless they see demonstrable intent on the part of the govt to address these issues with clear action on the ground, they will be compelled to carry on with the total cease-work.
“We are dejected with the tardy progress of work, like CCTV installation, washroom and duty room facilities. Also, nothing has been done regarding issues like eliminating threat culture, holding of students’ union elections and establishing better patient-care facilities,” said a junior doctor. The doctors are also peeved with the govt’s contention before the Supreme Court on the Sagore Dutta patient death. Claiming that the patient had died because she did not get an ICU bed, a junior doctor asked, “Is ensuring an ICU bed the responsibility of doctors or the govt?”