RG fiscal case: World Bank government silent, doctors' fasting conditions deteriorate | India News

On Friday, IMA national president RV Ashokan met the hunger-strike junior doctors to listen to their concerns.

After meeting another junior doctor admitted to RG Kar Hospital, he expressed his admiration for the protesters, saying, “I am amazed at how these children are fighting not for themselves but for people. They are the real heroes, and we are all very proud of them.”

Ashokan urged the Chief Minister to resolve the situation “without wasting any more time”. He noted that although the junior doctors did not discuss ending the hunger strike, they remained focused on their demands and were confident in seeking justice for their late colleagues.

“They did not talk much about canceling the fast but focused on their demands and the indifferent attitude of the state government towards their agitation. They are confident enough to carry out their protest and get justice for the dead doctor,” he said.

In a show of solidarity, the junior doctors encouraged the public to observe “Arandhan” (no cooking) on ​​Ekadashi, marking the end of their seven-day fast. “When our freedom fighters were on hunger strike, common people watched 'Arandhan' in their support,” explained a doctor.

In response to recent correspondence from protesting doctors, Chief Secretary Manoj Pant presented a status report on various healthcare initiatives in West Bengal, outlining the huge security improvements implemented, including the installation of over 7,000 CCTVs, new service rooms and better facilities in all medical facilities. . faculty

“To improve the safety of medical professionals, extensive infrastructure development is underway at several medical colleges. We are installing a total of 7,051 CCTVs, 893 new utility rooms and 778 bathrooms. Furthermore, adequate lighting systems, alarm systems and biometric access control are being installed in all medical facilities in the state and implemented in colleges and hospitals,” Pant wrote.

As the hunger strike continued, several senior doctors and community members joined junior doctors on the Esplanade, where a large crowd had gathered, shouting: “We want justice, we want justice.

Meanwhile, Aniket Mahato, a junior doctor, who has been hospitalized since Sunday after his condition deteriorated due to the hunger strike, is “critical but stable” with signs of improvement.

According to a member of the team of five doctors accompanying him in the intensive care unit, he began to respond to treatment. He was admitted to the public hospital on Thursday night.

As for the other six doctors on hunger strike since Saturday night, their health is also deteriorating, although they are determined to protest.

“This is the sixth consecutive day of fasting, so it is normal for your condition to deteriorate. However, they are determined to continue their protest,” said Debashish Halder, one of the protesting doctors.

An ICU ambulance is kept nearby for rapid response in case of further deterioration.

However, consultants from the Fortis Group of Hospitals said they will suspend all non-urgent services from October 12 (Saturday), the organization said in a statement.

In a related development, the Calcutta High Court granted interim bail to nine youths arrested for raising “We Want Justice” slogans outside a Durga Puja marquee on October 9. The youths were earlier sent to seven-day police custody.

Junior doctors demand justice for their murdered colleague and the immediate removal of Health Secretary NS Nigam.

They also want a centralized referral system for hospitals, a bed vacancy monitoring system, greater police protection in hospitals and the rapid filling of vacant health posts.

Doctors initially stopped working following the rape and murder of a fellow doctor on August 9 and ended their previous 42-day strike on September 21 after receiving assurances from the state government.