West Bengal junior doctors' hunger strike enters day 16 as CM Banerjee urges medics to end protest
The hunger strike by junior doctors in West Bengal reached its 16th day on Sunday, with medics demanding justice for a colleague who was allegedly raped and murdered at RG Kar Hospital. Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee has urged the protesting doctors to end their "fast-unto-death" and engage in talks, promising further discussions at the state secretariat on Monday.
Despite Banerjee’s plea and assurances that most demands have been addressed, the doctors remain firm, refusing to end their strike until all demands, including systemic changes to the state's healthcare infrastructure, are met. The protest has caused significant strain on healthcare services, with six doctors already hospitalized due to deteriorating health conditions.
Banerjee reiterated that while some officials have been removed, including the Commissioner of Police and the Director of Medical Education, it is not feasible to remove the state Health Secretary, a key demand of the protesters. She appealed to the doctors' sense of duty, stressing the impact on healthcare for the poor and urging them to return to work.
The protesting doctors have threatened to escalate the situation, with a state-wide strike of medical professionals planned for Tuesday if the deadlock is not resolved. A large rally, 'Chitkar Samabesh,' has also been organized for Sunday to intensify their demands for justice and healthcare reforms.