State issues directives on security for healthcare professionals

PTI, Kolkata, Sept 19, 2024 : The West Bengal government on Thursday issued a list of directives on the safety, security and efficient functioning of healthcare professionals, saying those orders need to be implemented immediately. The directives came a day after the state government held a meeting with agitating junior doctors over the same issues. 

In a two-page communication, chief secretary Manoj Pant to principal secretary (health) NS Nigam, the directions mentioned the need for "adequate availability of on-duty rooms, washrooms, CCTVs, drinking water facilities in the healthcare facilities." Works in this connection must be completed as early as possible, it mentioned in one of the 10 directives issued. 

The directive came hours after the junior doctors submitted to Pant a draft of the key points of their meeting with the West Bengal government last night and were awaiting the state's response. It also stated that the state has appointed former DGP Surajit Kar Purkayastha to conduct security audits of all medical colleges and hospitals. 

All the directions must be implemented immediately, according to the directive. Earlier on Thursday, the agitating junior doctors submitted to the chief secretary a draft of the key points of their meeting with the West Bengal government on Wednesday night and were awaiting the state's response. 

The e-mail, detailing the points which were discussed and agreed upon between the two sides and also those which weren’t, was sent as per the state’s requirement based on which the government is expected to issue directives, the doctors said. 

The talks between junior doctors and officials of the state government on Wednesday night failed to resolve the impasse between the two sides. Medics have been protesting for the past 40 days since the brutal torture and killing of a postgraduate trainee doctor at RG Kar hospital came to light on August 9.

 Doctors alleged that the state refused to provide written minutes of the meeting and announced they will continue with their agitation and 'cease work' movement till the government issues written directives on safety and security concerns of doctors in state-run hospitals as agreed in the meeting. 

"While the talks went smoothly, the government refused to hand over signed and written minutes of the issues which were discussed. We are feeling let down and disappointed with the government's attitude," Dr Aniket Mahato, one of the agitating doctors, said after coming out of the meeting. 

The second round of meeting between the state-level public healthcare task force headed by Pant and a delegation of 30 junior doctors was held at the state secretariat Nabanna. The first round was held in the presence of Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee at her Kalighat residence on Monday. 

 The agitating junior doctors also alleged that decorators were removing tents, bamboo shafts and pedestal fans from the protest site in front of Swasthya Bhawan after they were allegedly pressurised by the police to do so. 

The police, however, denied these allegations as baseless. The doctors said that around midnight, decorators, who had themselves donated tarpaulin, beds, tents and pedestal fans, were seen removing those from the sit-in site outside the state health department headquarters in Salt Lake. 

A junior doctor claimed that there was confusion when decorators began opening the tents, but they were assured that these items would be replaced soon. 

 "All arrangements for the sit-in are being funded by the public. Some decorators volunteered to provide us with tents, fans, bamboo shafts, and makeshift beds. When we contacted them about why they were taking down the items, they said they would replace these soon as they needed to use these items for making Durga Puja marquees," a junior doctor said on Wednesday night. 

However, on Thursday afternoon, the junior doctors claimed that the decorators were removing materials under pressure from the police. "We initially thought the decorators were removing the items for Durga Puja marquees. But later we learned they were doing it under pressure from the police. 

We want to reiterate that such pressure tactics will only strengthen our resolve," another junior doctor said. A senior officer of Bidhannagar Police Commissionerate, however, dismissed the allegations as baseless. 

"These allegations are unfounded. Why would the police pressurise the decorators? If the agitating doctors face any problems, they can inform us. We are always here to help them," the police officer said.