Kolkata Rape-Murder: Doctors’ Body Calls For Nationwide Shutdown Of Elective Services In Hospitals From Today, Hunger Strike Of Bengal Medics Continue

Kolkata: The Federation of All India Medical Association (FAIMA), a body representing Resident Doctors’ Associations (RDAs) across the country, called for a nationwide shutdown of elective services in hospitals from Monday. They called for the shutdown in solidarity with medics’ ongoing protest in Kolkata, demanding justice for the RG Kar rape-murder victim and safe working conditions.

The decision was taken after a meeting of the association on Saturday. However, they urged all Resident Doctors’ Association to ensure that emergency services remain functional 24/7.

“After exhaustive discussions, we have unanimously decided that it is time to unite on a national scale. We had given an ultimatum for escalation to the Chief Minister of West Bengal in a previous letter, however no satisfactory action has been seen, compelling us to request all RDAs and medical associations across the country to join us in our call for a shutdown of elective services across the country, commencing Monday,” read a statement from the association.

Hunger strike of Kolkata doctors enters 10^th day

The hunger strike of protesting junior doctors in Kolkata entered its 10 day on Monday with the medics staying firm on their demand for justice and safety. The health condition of another junior doctor deteriorated on Sunday, taking the total number of agitators who had to be hospitalized so far to four, according to reports.

The doctor, Pulastha Acharya of NRS Medical College and Hospital, was rushed to hospital after he complained of severe stomach pain, the Republic reported. Earlier, Aniket Mahato of RG Kar Medical and Hospital, Anustup Majumdar of Kolkata Medical College and Hospital, and Alok Verma of North Bengal Medical College and Hospital were hospitalised. According to reports, Pulastha was in the CCU as his parameters deteriorated.

What are the doctors demanding?

The junior doctors have been demanding justice for the RG Kar hospital victim. They have also demanded the immediate removal of Bengal Health Secretary N S Nigam, workplace security and other measures.

Some of their other demands include the establishment of a centralised referral system for all hospitals and medical colleges in the state, the implementation of a bed vacancy monitoring system, and formation of task forces to ensure essential provisions for CCTV, on-call rooms, and washrooms at their workplaces.

IMA calls for 24-hr nationwide hunger strike

Earlier, the Indian Medical Association (IMA) urged Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee to step in before the situation escalates. In solidarity with the protesting doctors in Kolkata, the Indian Medical Association (IMA) has called for a 24-hour nationwide hunger strike on October 15 from 6am to 6pm. IMA will coordinate with RDAs and support their local actions in this regards.

What is the Bengal government’s stand?

Bengal’s Chief Secretary Manoj Pant had written to the Joint Platform of Doctors (JPD)—the forum under which the agitation in Bengal is being held— urging them to cancel their proposed demonstration on October 15.

Pant has reportedly stated in the email that the protest was coinciding with the state government’s previously announced ‘Pujo Carnival.’ He invited the medics for a meeting at state health department headquarters Swasthya Bhawan on Monday to discuss their demands. The Bengal government and Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee had held talks with the medics previously as well. But, past talks have failed to end the impasse with doctors staying firm on their demands.

What led to the hunger strike and agitation?

The hunger strike was launched in Kolkata on October 5 after nearly 50 days of ‘cease work’ in two phases by the medics. Their agitation began after an on-duty 31-year-old postgraduate trainee was allegedly raped and murdered in the premised of state-run RG Kar Medical College and Hospital on August 9. The Kolkata Police had arrested a civic volunteer, Sanjay Ray, the next day in connection to the case. But, following a Calcutta High Court order the probe was handed over to the CBI, which alleged tampering with the crime scene and evidence and arrested former principal of the college, Sandip Ghosh and former Kolkata Police OC of Tala Police Station, Abhijit Mandal.

There are allegations of graft against Ghosh and his associates, which are also being probed by the CBI. The case has turned the spotlight on alleged prevalence of ‘threat culture’ in various medical colleges and hospitals of the state.

CBI Chargesheet in RG Kar rape and murder: Sanjay Ray, only accused

Meanwhile, the CBI had filed chargesheet in the rape-murder case, naming Sanjay Ray as the only accused in the case. The agency had cited various forensic evidence in its chargesheet but didn’t indicate gangrape or involvement of multiple persons as alleged by victim’s family previously. The chargesheet also had no mention of Sandip Ghosh or Abhijit Mandal, the India Today reported.