Jr Doctor Hunger Strike Enters Day 6; Chief Secretary Apprises Them Of Status Report

The condition of Aniket Mahato is reported to be critical, yet stable. He, one of the seven fasting doctors, was hospitalised on Thursday night. Six other doctors continue with their protest as the hunger strike entered into day 7 on Saturday. Aniket was taken to RG Kar Medical college and Hospital (MCH) and admitted to CCU. “He is showing signs of improvement but he continues to be critical after six days of no food and water. His blood pressure had fallen, other complications have also risen”, said one of the doctors treating Mahato. The condition of the other six junior doctors have deteriorated but they have decided to continue with the protest in seeking fulfilment of their 10 point demands from the state government, including upgradation of the security system at government medical colleges and hospitals in the state. The RG Kar matter after suo motu cognisance had reached the Supreme Court, bench of Chief Justice of India DY Chandrachud. The bench had given a time extension to the state till October 15 for the completion of the works ensuring a safer and better work space for the doctors.

Meanwhile West Bengal Chief Secretary Manoj Pant on Friday had shot off an email to the junior doctors urging them to withdraw their hunger strike. He had also provides them with status report on health care initiatives undertaken by the state, as per the directive of the Supreme Court.

“We are installing a total of 7,051 CCTVs, 893 new duty rooms and 778 washrooms. Additionally, proper lighting arrangements, alarm system and bio metric access control is also being implemented across all medical colleges and hospitals state-wide. The state government has allocated over Rs 113 crores for these projects in medical colleges alone. All tasks have been prioritised, and over 90% of the sanctioned projects are nearing completion, except at RG Kar, where the necessary NOC from the investigating authorities was received just two days ago. It is expected all ongoing projects will be completed by October 15, 2024, read am excerpt of the status report.

The status report has also highlighted that more than one thousand female constables have been assigned to various police units across the state, dedicated towards the state run hospitals. The junior doctors have demanded early filling of vacancies in order to mitigate the work load on junior doctors, to which the state government status report has stated “the process of filling vacancies is continuous, and the State Government is committed to fill up all current vacancies through the appropriate procedures at the earliest”.