West Bengal Junior Doctors Resume "Total Cease Work"

Protesting junior doctors in West Bengal resumed their indefinite "total cease work" on Tuesday, urging the state government to address their "unresolved" demands, including improved safety and security in medical facilities. The decision comes after a partial rejoining of duties on September 21 after a 42-day protest triggered by the tragic incident of rape-murder of a woman doctor on duty at RG Kar Medical College and Hospital on August 9.

After an extensive eight-hour meeting, the West Bengal junior doctors' organization announced the resumption of the total "cease work," citing the government’s failure to fulfill its promises. “The strike will continue until our concerns are addressed,” stated the juniordoctors.

On September 19, the Chief Secretary had assigned the Health Secretary to implement safety measures, but junior doctors reported no visible changes after 11 days. They are now demanding accountability for what they describe as "administrative failure and corruption." “We demand that the Health Ministry take responsibility for administrative incompetence and corruption, and that the Health Secretary be immediately removed from his position,” they asserted.

“The state government has not fulfilled what it promised us. Only the installation of CCTVs in a few places has been completed. The rest remains unaddressed. There are still many questions about security,” said Dr Aniket Mahato, stressing on the urgent need for security improvements.

The doctors expressed disappointment with the slow progress of the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) regarding the ongoing investigation into their colleague’s death. “We have seen many times before that the CBI has been unable to reach any conclusions, allowing the real culprits of such incidents to go free due to delays in filing charges,” they stated.

The junior doctors demands include ensuring justice for the victim without further delays in the judicial process, holding the Health Ministry accountable for administrative failures, and removing the Health Secretary from his position. They are calling for the immediate implementation of a centralized referral system in all hospitals and medical colleges, as well as the establishment of a digital bed vacancy monitor in every medical facility. Additionally, they seek the formation of task forces with representation from junior doctors to ensure necessary arrangements for security and amenities. Finally, they are demanding increased police protection in hospitals, advocating for the hiring of permanent police personnel rather than relying on civic volunteers.

“We want to remind the government that we are not protesting merely for paper promises; we are protesting for a genuine, people-oriented change in the state’s healthcare system, so that patients receive proper services and doctors and healthcare workers are ensured a safe, fear-free workplace,” read the statement issued by the West Bengal Junior Doctor's Front.​