Tuesday, 01 October 2024
Tuesday, 01 October 2024
Bengal’s junior doctors on Tuesday reverted to their cease-work protest because of what they called the government's inaction on their demands for safety and reform in the healthcare system.
They also put forward their concerns over delays in the investigation into the rape and murder of the trainee doctor at RG Kar Medical College and Hospital and criticised both the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) and the Supreme Court for the slow progress in the case.
Demand 1: Justice for Abhaya
The junior doctors are demanding quick action in the case of the rape and murder of their colleague at RG Kar Medical College and Hospital on August 9. They have expressed their frustration with the slow judicial process. The doctors said they want the investigation to be expedited, ensuring that those responsible are held accountable without unnecessary delay
Demand 2: Removal of the health secretary
The junior doctors are demanding the immediate removal of the state health secretary, N.S. Nigam. They believe that the current health secretary has failed to address critical issues the doctors have raised. The doctors want the government to hold the health administration responsible for the ills that plague the healthcare system and take quick action to replace him.
Demand 3: A centralised referral system
The doctors want the immediate implementation of a centralised referral system in all government hospitals and medical colleges across the state. Such a system, they said, would allow for better coordination in patient care, ensuring that patients are directed to hospitals with available beds and appropriate services, reducing delays in treatment.
Demand 4: Digital bed vacancy monitoring system
Similarly, the doctors want a digital bed-vacancy monitoring system to be set up in every government medical college and hospital. This system would provide real-time information about bed availability, helping both patients and doctors manage hospital admissions more efficiently, and prevent overcrowding, the doctors say.
Demand 5: Task forces in medical colleges
The doctors want task forces to be formed in every government medical college and hospital. These task forces should include elected representatives of junior doctors to address safety concerns. The doctors also want better security measures, including the installation of adequate CCTV cameras, on-call rooms and washrooms for all healthcare workers.
Demand 6: Increased police protection and female police in hospitals
The demand for increased police protection in hospitals is another priority for the junior doctors. They are specifically asking for the recruitment of permanent female police personnel to improve safety within medical institutions.
Demand 7: Filling of vacant positions
The junior doctors want the government to immediately fill all vacant positions for doctors, nurses, and healthcare workers in state-run hospitals. According to them, the shortage of staff is putting immense pressure on existing workers.
Demand 8: Committees to investigate threat syndicates
The junior doctors want inquiry committees formed to handle the issue of intimidation and harassment within medical colleges. These committees should investigate those who threaten doctors, and take appropriate action. They are also asking for a state-level inquiry to address systemic corruption.
Demand 9: Immediate elections for student councils
The doctors want immediate elections for student councils in every medical college. They want the government to ensure that the Resident Doctors’ Association is recognised and that junior doctors have representation in all decision-making committees that govern medical institutions.
Demand 10: Probe corruption in medical council, recruitment board
The junior doctors have called for an investigation into what they call corruption and mismanagement within the West Bengal Medical Council (WBMC) and the West Bengal Health Recruitment Board (WBHRB).
