Medical Stir: Bengal CM Cajoles, Docs Defiant

The West Bengal government on Saturday accepted all the demands of the agitating doctors and requested them to resume work. The doctors, however, turned down the appeal and said they will continue their state-wide agitation, which entered its fifth day on Saturday. Here are the top developments into the medical crisis in Bengal that is threatening to disrupt services pan-India:

#Mamata Plea

Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee calls assault on junior doctors at a Kolkata hospital “unfortunate incident” and says her government is committed to resume normal services ASAP. The CM adds no stringent action will be taken against protesting doctors and appeals for “good sense to prevail”.

#No, Say Strikers

Doctors turn down CM’s call for a meeting to end impasse. They allege the CM didn’t take any honest step to address their concern. They also demand Mamata to personally meet agitating doctors at Kolkata’s NRS Hospital, the epicentre of the current crisis.

#Centre Seeks Report

The Union home ministry seeks report from Bengal government on the medical strike. The ministry mentions it has received several representations from medical professionals and associations from across India, expressing concern on the safety of doctors at hospitals.

#Health Minister Advisory

Union Health Minister Harsh Vardhan writes to all CMs to take strict action against those who assault medical practitioners.

#Guv Writes To CM

In a written communication, Bengal Governor Keshari Nath Tripathi writes to Mamata to take immediate steps for security of doctors and find solution to the impasse. CM says she has apprised Governor of the situation.

#Say Sorry: Opp

Opposition parties (BJP, CPM and Congress) in Bengal accuse CM of “not being serious” about resolving the crisis and playing politics. They demand that Mamata must apologise to the agitating doctors.

#AIIMS Ultimatum

Doctors at AIIMS, New Delhi resume work on Saturday after one-day strike on Friday. They give 48-hour ultimatum to Bengal CM to meet demands of their agitating colleagues or else they threaten to go on indefinite strike.

#“Kids Dying”

The West Bengal Commission for Protection of Child Rights (WBCPCR) appeals to the agitating doctors to call off strike because children were dying for lack of timely and critical treatment in state hospitals.