Doctors In Bengal Call Off Strike; Key Takeaways

Kolkata: After a week-long protest, junior doctors on Monday called off their strike following an assurance from West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee of enhanced security measures.

Key takeaways from the meeting between Mamata and the junior doctors held in the presence of media: 

1. Nodal officers from the police department will be appointed for security of the doctors at the government hospitals.

2. Every hospital will have a grievance cell which will be manned 24×7.

3. Political leaders will avoid building pressure to get patients admitted in the hospitals.

4. All entry and exit gates will be manned properly and CCTV cameras will be made functional.

5. Mass awareness programmes will be launched to educate people against attacking doctors.

Meanwhile, Union Health Minister Harsh Vardhan on Monday said the Centre was studying the possibility of bringing a new law on doctors security.

“I have written to all Chief Ministers including Mamata Banerjee about the security of medical staff at the workplace. We will also look at bringing in fresh law at the Centre,” he told reporters.