The healthcare system in Bengal stands on the brink of a collapse even as the state celebrates its biggest festival, Durga Puja.

If the en masse resignation of the senior doctors in several teaching hospitals in Calcutta and elsewhere was not enough, from Saturday onwards consultants in private hospitals too have decided on stopping all non-emergency services in solidarity with the junior doctors on hunger strike demanding a cleanup of the system in the aftermath of the rape and murder of a postgraduate trainee doctor at RG Kar Medical College and Hospital on August 9.

“We the consultants attached to the Fortis Group of Hospitals have unanimously decided to withhold all non-emergency services with effect from 12th October,” reads a letter signed by “consultants” of Fortis Hospital, Anandapur and Fortis Hospital and Kidney Institute.

“As part of the fraternity, we support the junior doctors unconditionally in their legitimate demands and stand in solidarity with their movement. Perhaps the nation’s health infrastructure can’t afford more sacrifices of highly skilled health professionals.”

Most of the other private hospitals like Apollo Multispecialty, Manipal (Previously AMRI), Medica and others have decided to stop all non-emergency services from Monday October 14 onwards.

For how long the services will remain suspended is still unclear.

“We the consultants of Apollo Multispecialty Hospitals, Kolkata have unanimously decided to support the on-going movement of the junior doctors. In solidarity with their hunger strike indefinite (sic) we have decided to stop all Non-emergency clinical work, with effect from October 14th, Monday," reads the statement.

Dr Bastab Ghosh, urological surgeon at Manipal Hospital, said members of the Private Doctors’ Forum will visit the hunger-strike spot at Esplanade and announce their decision.

“Critical care and emergency will run as usual, only OPD and elective surgeries won’t take place although already scheduled surgeries and procedures will take place without cancellation,” Ghosh said. “Representatives from all corporate and private hospitals will be at the hunger strike."

The uro-surgeon said that initially the suspension of non-emergency medical services will be for Monday and Tuesday. “Depending on the government’s response or lack of it we will decide on the next course of action,” Ghosh said.

Seven junior doctors in Calcutta and two in Siliguri had started the hunger strike from October 5 onwards with a 10-point demand that included justice for the rape and murder victim, a postgraduate trainee at the RG Kar Medical College and Hospital, enhanced security measures at the government healthcare centres, from the teaching hospitals to the primary health centre.

One of the seven, Aniket Mahato, has been hospitalised. Two more doctors have joined the fast from Saturday.

Despite the assurances from the state government and meetings with the chief minister Mamata Banerjee and the chief secretary Manoj Pant (the last of which was on Wednesday) the impasse has remained.

In a strongly worded letter from the Federation of Medical Association to the chief minister, the medical body has warned that the Bengal government will be held responsible for any drastic fallout from the continuous protests and its impact on healthcare services.

“We have had enough discussions and exchange of pleasantries in a democratic way. Hope you have the patience and the sensitivity to read through this short letter. Divide and Rule has been an eternal successful policy in governance. We understand. The medical community was divided, not anymore,” the letter read. “Let us forewarn you and your advisors in the administration that the murder and the justice for RG Kar movement has broken the walls of divisions among all doctors, nurses, paramedical workers and administrators at private hospitals. You might feel secure within the barricades of your police force but the reality is different.”

“If any casualty happens among the “fasting unto death” of any of the junior doctors that, will be the last spark to light the flame. All doctors and medical community of West Bengal will go on complete medical ceasework. No amount of votebank or police force will be able to stop that movement. We will make sure that this extreme step that you are forcing us to take will be supported by every common man and even your own vote bank. It will soon be followed by similar plan of action pan India. Even central forces will not be able to douse the flames.”

FEMA has accused the chief minister of neglecting the junior doctors and causing them harm and wants Mamata to have a meeting with them in an open forum with live streaming, a demand the Bengal government has refused time and again.

The state health secretary Narayan Swarup Nigam told The Telegraph Online on Saturday that the government was working on each of the demands made by the junior doctors.

“The chief secretary met them on Wednesday and explained the situation to them. Even the chief minister has met them. They have stuck to their stand that all the demands have to be met. A detailed status report has been provided to them,” said Nigam.

“The government stands committed to ensure safety and security of all our healthcare staff. This is an important public service and should not be disrupted."