Tuesday, 22 October 2024
Tuesday, 22 October 2024
The junior doctors on protest in Calcutta said they have gathered evidence against health secretary N.S. Nigam and would present that at the meeting with chief minister Mamata Banerjee scheduled for 5pm on Monday.
They have also made it clear that they will not withdraw their hunger strike before the meeting.
“We are focused on today’s meeting. More than 10 people will go to the meeting today and in case they do not allow then only 10 people will enter. The hunger strike will continue and we will decide after today’s meeting what actions have to be taken further,” Dr Sayan Mandal, an intern at Midnapore Medical College, told The Telegraph Online.
“We will also stress on the point of the removal of the health secretary Nigam, even though she [CM Mamata Banerjee] has told us it is not possible,” Mandal said.
“Previously the CM told us she is looking into the matter but on Saturday she said it is not possible. We have collected evidence as to why we want his removal and the same will be discussed in the meeting. We will discuss all our 10 demands and no point will be left. If the meeting is fruitful we may lift the hunger strike; everything depends on today’s meeting,” he added.
On Sunday, the doctors held a mass convention at Dorina Crossing in Esplanade, where they informed the public about their demands. They emphasised how crucial these demands are for cleaning up Bengal's healthcare system.
Despite repeated requests from Banerjee to end their fast, the junior doctors remain firm in their stance.
“The convention was attended by a large number of people and we called it 'Chitkar Samabesh'. We received a huge support from the public and even they understood that their demands are extremely valid,” Agnidipta Mukherjee, a second-year postgraduate trainee student at Calcutta Medical College and Hospital, told The Telegraph Online.
“We will explain our 10 demands in detail to the chief minister in today’s meeting. The removal of N.S. Nigam will also be discussed,” she added.
Health concerns are rising for the doctors on hunger strike.
“The people who are on hunger strike for the last 15 days are going through irreversible deterioration. Not eating for 15 days is a big thing. Their body is fully functioning on mental strength now. The ones in CCU are gradually improving but are not fully fit,” Mukherjee said.
“After so many 10-15 days of hunger strike, everyone is exhausted but they are continuing,” said Dr Sk Mehebub Hossain, junior resident, Calcutta Medical College and Hospital.
“Anustup [Mukherjee] is being discharged from CCU, Tanaya di [Dr Tanaya Panja] was shifted to HDU [High Dependency Unit] on Friday. She is doing well and she has asked for privacy, her parents are only allowed there as of now"
“We are told to bring 10 people, but till now we have not decided how many of us will go,” he added. “Until yesterday the chief secretary did not respond back to our email, it was also a Sunday, when they do not usually respond. After the meeting we will take concrete decisions as to what step to take further.”
In a phone conversation with the junior doctors on Saturday, Banerjee said, "Everybody has the right to protest, but it shouldn’t affect healthcare services. I would request you all to withdraw your fast."
She also rejected the demand for Nigam’s removal, explaining, "It is not possible to remove everyone in a department at once. We have already removed the Director of Health Services and the Director of Medical Education. Please rise above politics and rejoin work."
