NEW DELHI: The Indian Medical Association (IMA) has written a letter to West Bengal’s chief minister, Mamata Banerjee, urging her to resolve the issues of junior doctors currently on a hunger strike in Kolkata, adding that its been a week and “they deserve immediate attention.”
In the letter addressed to the chief minister on Thursday, the association said: “It is almost a week since the young doctors of Bengal are on a fast-unto-death struggle.Indian Medical Association supports their just demands. They deserve your immediate attention. The Government of West Bengal is entirely capable of meeting all the demands,” the letter read.
“Peaceful ambience and security are not a luxury. They are a prerequisite. We appeal to your good self to settle the issues with the young generation (of) doctors as an elder and the head of the government,” it added.
The IMA has expressed its support for the “just demands” put forth by the protesting doctors.
“The entire medical fraternity of India is concerned and trusts you would be able to save their lives. If the offices of the Indian Medical Association could be of any help we would gladly assist,” the IMA said.
Seven junior doctors have been on an indefinite hunger strike, now entering its sixth day on Friday, despite the ongoing Durga Puja festivities.
The junior doctors at R G Kar Medical College and Hospital in Kolkata have been staging a protest against the alleged rape and murder of their colleague, which occurred on August 9.
Following the alleged rape and murder incident, the junior doctors initiated a “cease work” protest. After 42 days, on September 21, they concluded their strike based on assurances from the state government to address their demands.
However, the doctors resumed their protest by starting an indefinite fast at the Dorina Crossing in Dharmatala, located in central Kolkata, on Saturday evening.
The doctors alleged that the government has failed to deliver on the promises previously made to them.
The protesting doctors have put forward several demands, including justice for their colleague, the immediate removal of Health Secretary N S Nigam, and the establishment of task forces to ensure the installation of essential facilities such as CCTV cameras, on-call rooms, and washrooms at their workplaces.
