Chief Secretary Manoj Pant has directed health department officials to ensure that security arrangements at hospitals and medical colleges are put in place in accordance with the demands of the protesting junior doctors at the earliest.
Pant convened a meeting with senior officials at Nabanna on Thursday to take stock of the progress of work in this regard.
Earlier the same day, Pant attended an hour-long meeting with Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee at her residence. Principal secretary (health) Narayan Swaroop Nigam was also present at this meeting.
A majority of the 10-point demands of the junior doctors, who have been protesting over the rape and murder case of a woman trainee doctor in Kolkata’s RG Kar Medical College and Hospital on August 9, are related to infrastructure and safety at the state’s hospitals.
The state government has assured them that action would be taken in this regard. Last month, Pant wrote to the health secretary highlighting several matters, such as the need for ‘panic button’ facility and women police personnel at hospitals.
However, the junior doctors have been raising questions over the progress of work in implementing such measures.
According to sources in the state administration, the CM has sought details of steps taken regarding the security measures at government-run medical colleges and hospitals.
Banerjee also enquired about what other work has been done in terms of infrastructure upgrade at hospitals, especially providing adequate lighting, installing CCTVs and adequate toilet facilities. “During Friday’s meeting, the chief secretary highlighted the concern expressed by the CM and emphasised that the work should be completed as soon as possible,” said a senior health department official.
He added, “After the work is done, we can approach the junior doctors for talks.”
Principal secretary (health) Narayan Swaroop Nigam on Friday wrote to principals of all state medical colleges.
The letter said, “…some of the residents (doctors) are being admitted in medical college hospitals after the participation in hunger strike. It is expected that proper medical care and treatment as per the standard protocol of medical management is extended in all such cases. A multidisciplinary medical board should be formed to oversee the treatment in each such case. A status report in all such cases should be submitted to the department at least twice daily. Principals and MSVPs must personally ensure proper treatment in all such cases.”