RG Kar Medical College Case Escalates: More Doctors Join Hunger Strike, Private Hospitals Begin Ceasework
the RG Kar case has intensified as more doctors join the ongoing hunger strike demanding justice for their murdered colleague. The situation has escalated, prompting private hospitals to begin a ceasework in solidarity with the protesting junior doctors.
Currently, ten junior doctors are on an indefinite hunger strike, which began on October 5. This includes two new participants who joined the protest on Saturday: Parichoy Panda from Ramakrishna Mission Seva Pratishthan and Alolika Ghorui from Calcutta National Medical College and Hospital. Their health has reportedly deteriorated, with fellow medics expressing concern over declining health parameters. Dr. Debasish Halder noted that the fasting doctors are “very weak,” with increased levels of creatinine in their urine due to prolonged fasting.
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The protests stem from the tragic rape and murder of a junior doctor at RG Kar Medical College and Hospital. The doctors are not only demanding justice for their colleagues but also calling for several systemic changes within the healthcare system. Their demands include:
- Immediate removal of Health Secretary N S Nigam
- Establishment of a centralized referral system for hospitals
- Implementation of a bed vacancy monitoring system
- Increased police protection in hospitals
- Rapid filling of vacant healthcare positions
The Indian Medical Association (IMA) has urged West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee to intervene before the situation worsens. The Federation of All India Medical Associations (FAIMA) has warned of a nationwide shutdown of medical services if any harm comes to the protesting doctors.
The ongoing hunger strike has attracted significant attention, with many senior doctors expressing solidarity. Notably, 38 doctors from Arambagh Medical College and Hospital have announced their intention to resign in support of their junior counterparts. However, the West Bengal government dismissed these mass resignations as having “no legal value,” stating that they lacked proper documentation.
In a concerning development, two fasting junior doctors reported that police have pressured their families to persuade them to withdraw from the hunger strike. This interference has raised alarms among the medical community and human rights advocates alike. Video clips have surfaced showing police visiting the homes of these doctors.
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The health condition of Aniket Mahato, one of the fasting doctors who had to be hospitalized, remains critical but stable. He was admitted to the critical care unit after his health deteriorated due to fasting on October 6. While he is responding to treatment, fellow medics are worried about the overall health of those still on strike.
As protests continue at Esplanade in Kolkata, crowds have gathered chanting for justice. The atmosphere is charged with emotion as junior doctors express their determination to fight for their rights and safety in the workplace. They feel that their demands are not merely personal but essential for improving conditions for all healthcare workers in West Bengal.
In response to this situation, private hospitals like Fortis Group have announced that they will suspend all non-emergency services starting October 12 as a show of solidarity with the protesting doctors. This move indicates a significant shift in how medical professionals view their relationship with the state government amid ongoing tensions.
