Kolkata rape-murder: Why talks between doctors, Bengal government remained inconclusive
The second round of discussions between the West Bengal government and protesting junior doctors ended without resolution on Wednesday. The doctors' delegation claimed that while Chief Secretary Manoj Pant agreed to most of their demands, he "refused to hand over signed and written minutes (record) of the issues that were discussed." The state government also declined to initiate a departmental inquiry against Health Secretary NS Nigam, a key demand of the protesters.
Doctors' demands and government's response
The junior doctors have demanded broader representation from medical colleges on a state task force formed to address doctor safety and security. They also sought information about the formulation and functions of this promised task force. The government, however, proposed only four to five representatives from the junior doctors. Other issues raised by the doctors include safety within public hospitals and an end to the "threat culture" on medical college campuses.
Agreement on safety measures and student representation
The 30-member delegation also demanded broader representation of students on unions, hostels and decision-making bodies in hospitals. They further called for the formation of college-level task forces and holding of college council and resident doctors' association elections. Both parties agreed to implement a central directive for deploying female police officers for night patrols, installing panic buttons by department, and establishing helplines for prompt intervention.
Doctors express dissatisfaction, vow to continue protests
The junior doctors expressed their dissatisfaction with the outcome of the talks and vowed to continue their sit-in protests outside Swasthya Bhavan, the health department headquarters. "We will continue our agitation and take a call on it if and when those directives are issued," Dr Aniket Mahato told PTI. Despite Pant's appeal for them to return to work due to flood-like conditions in South Bengal, they have resolved to continue their cease-work protests until their demands are met concretely.
Protest enters 41st day
The protest by junior doctors in Kolkata entered its 41st day on Thursday. The doctors have been protesting since August 10, a day after the brutal rape and murder of a female doctor at RG Kar Medical College and Hospital in Kolkata. The incident sparked outrage across the country, with several medical bodies demanding justice for the victim and calling for better security measures to be implemented at hospitals.
