Tuesday, 15 October 2024
Tuesday, 15 October 2024
The junior doctors’ delegation that went to meet Bengal governor C.V. Ananda Bose on Tuesday was disappointed at Raj Bhavan, the protesters said. Five junior doctors were allowed to enter the office and were later informed that the meeting could not take place as the governor was asleep, a doctor said.
“First they told us the governor is sleeping so we can't meet him. We waited till around 6.15pm. Then they allowed some of our representatives to enter. But no meeting took place. We submitted our deputation and left,” Dr Sk Mehebub Hossain, junior resident doctor, Calcutta Medical College and Hospital, told The Telegraph Online.
The junior doctors, some colleagues of whom have been on hunger strike for 11 days now demanding justice for the rape and murder of a postgraduate trainee doctor at RG Kar Medical College and Hospital on August 9, had gone to meet the governor to express their disappointment at the progress made by the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) in the case.
“Bollo age theke meeting plan kore aste hoy [We were told that the meeting must be planned in advance],” Dr Sayan Mandal, an intern at Midnapore Medical College, told The Telegraph Online.
As only five doctors were allowed into the office, they submitted a deputation.
On Tuesday, the Federation of All India Medical Association (FAIMA) also submitted what it called a final ultimatum to Bengal chief minister Mamata Banerjee, stating dissatisfaction with the state's response to the ongoing crisis.
FAIMA’s e-mail addressed the “incomplete and unsatisfactory” status report provided by the chief secretary’s office regarding the indefinite hunger strike by junior doctors.
FAIMA cited the deteriorating health of the striking doctors, with five now admitted to intensive care units due. Dr Tanaya Panja from Medical College Kolkata, one of the senior resident doctors on hunger strike, fell seriously ill on Tuesday with severe abdominal pain and lost consciousness around 8pm. She has been shifted to the Critical Care Unit (CCU) at the Medical College SSB CCU bed number 13 for treatment.
FAIMA has called for a nationwide boycott of elective services by resident doctors starting from Tuesday. Emergency services will continue, but the association aims to pressure the state government to act fast and prevent further health risks to the protesting doctors.
FAIMA said it has also approached the President of India and the Union health minister to bring attention to the escalating situation.
While the state government has said it has implemented seven out of the 10 demands raised by the junior doctors, the strike continues as doctors demand comprehensive reforms in the healthcare system and written assurances from the government.
In a meeting with senior doctors on Monday, chief secretary Manoj Pant said that some progress had been made, but the junior doctors remain unconvinced.
