The junior doctors supported the doctors sitting on hunger strike by lighting mobile torches.
Another doctor, who has been on hunger strike since October 5 to protest the rape-murder of a trainee doctor in Kolkata, turned critical on Sunday night.
The protesting doctors said that trainee doctor Pulastha Acharya has been admitted to NRS hospital in critical condition. He had a severe stomach ache. A separate medical board has been constituted in the hospital for his treatment.
Out of 10 doctors on hunger strike, 4 are hospitalized in critical condition. On October 12 before Pulasth, the condition of Dr. Anustup Mukherjee and Dr. Alok Verma deteriorated. Also, on October 10 Dr. Aniket Mahato was admitted to the CCU of RG Kar Hospital.
Bengal Chief Secretary Manoj Pant today called to meet a delegation of junior doctors. However, they have not yet decided whether the doctors will go or not.
On the other hand, the Federation of All India Medical Associations (FAIMA) has announced a nationwide strike from today. During this time only emergency services will continue. Also, the IMA said that doctors across the country will fast from 6 am to 6 pm.
In fact, on the night of August 8, a female doctor was raped and murdered at RG Kar Hospital. The victim's body was found on August 9. The doctors protested for 42 days. The doctors started a hunger strike as their demands were not met.
3 pictures of hunger strike and protest…
People raised slogans in support of the doctors who were on hunger strike.
Junior doctors wrote slogans on the road against the Bengal government.
The condition of the doctors who are on hunger strike is constantly deteriorating.
Read step by step what happened during the hunger strike…
13 October
- Chief Secretary's appeal – Doctors should call off strike for 1 day: Bengal Government Chief Secretary Manoj Pant mailed the doctors to stop their hunger strike and protest for a day on 15 October, as the Rani Roshni Road Pooja Carnival will take place on this day. In which thousands of people from across the state participate.
12 October
- Govt said – Resignation of doctors not valid: More than 200 doctors have resigned from RG Kar Medical College and other hospitals in West Bengal. In this regard, the Bengal government has said that these are ordinary letters, they have no legal value. However, many doctors have made it clear that their resignations were symbolic and that they are still seeing patients.
- Doctors said – Police are forcing: The doctors who are on hunger strike said that the Bengal Police is forcing them to end the strike. We are being pressured by our patients to end the strike.
11 October
- Chief Secretary's Report: Chief Secretary Manoj Pant sent a status report on ongoing health initiatives in West Bengal. He said in a mail to doctors – 7,051 CCTV cameras, 893 new duty rooms and 778 washrooms are being constructed in medical colleges to increase the security of doctors. Apart from this, alarm system and biometric access control system are also being installed in all hospitals.
- IMA's letter to CM: Indian Medical Association has also written to CM Mamata Banerjee. In which urgent action has been taken by the state government regarding the demands of the doctors, there is no peaceful environment and security. We appeal, resolve this issue. The doctors have been on a fast to death for almost a week. Government of Bengal should pay immediate attention to this matter. You are able to accept all demands of doctors.
- IMA Chief Doctors met: IMA Chief Dr. Ashokan met doctors on hunger strike. He said – these children are not fighting for themselves, but for the welfare of the people. They are true heroes and we are proud of them.
10 October
- 1 Doctor Hospitalized: Dr. Aniket Mahato's health deteriorated due to continuous hunger strike. He was taken to the hospital by ambulance late at night in an unconscious state. A team of 5 doctors monitored him.
- Mamata sent 4 doctors: Mamata government sent 4 specialist doctors to the hunger strike site to get information about the health of the doctors on hunger strike. He advised doctors to hospitalize him before his health deteriorated.
9 October
- Meeting of Chief Secretary and Doctors on Strike: A group of doctors held a meeting with Chief Secretary Manoj Pant for about 2 hours on October 9. About 20 representatives of medical colleges from across the state attended the meeting held at the health department headquarters in Salt Lake. Doctors allege that they got nothing but consolation. The junior doctor said – the state government has asked to consider the demands after Durga Puja.
- Resignation of more than 100 doctors: 106 doctors and faculties of RG Kar Hospital resigned. 19 doctors from Jalpaiguri Medical College and Hospital, 42 from North Bengal Medical College and Hospital in Siliguri, 35 from Calcutta National Medical College and Hospital and around 70 doctors from Kolkata Medical College and Hospital have resigned.
Doctors had earlier presented 5 demands, out of which the government fulfilled 3…then went on hunger strike. The junior doctors went on a 42-day strike from August 10 to September 21 to protest the rape-murder incident. The doctors had earlier placed 5 demands before the government. Out of which the government accepted 3 demands. CM Mamata assured to consider two other demands and conditions.
After this, the doctors ended their strike. He returned to work in hospitals. On 27 September, a case of beating of 3 doctors and 3 nurses at Sagar Dutta Hospital came to light, which angered the doctors and resumed the strike from 1 October.
On 4 October, the junior doctors called off the strike, but the strike continued. He said that we are returning to work as government hospitals are facing problems with large number of patients. However, he gave a 24-hour ultimatum to the state government. After this he started fasting.
Image Credit: (Divya-Bhaskar): Images/graphics belong to (Divya-Bhaskar).
