Junior Doctors’ Hunger Strike Enters 200th Hour Amidst Unresolved Demands in Kolkata

Baby Chakraborty, KalimNews, October 14, 2024, Kolkata : Despite enduring over 200 hours of hunger strike, junior doctors in West Bengal have yet to see any resolution to their ongoing agitation. A meeting was held at the Health Building on Monday, attended by senior doctors’ associations and 24 representatives from twelve organizations, but no agreement was reached.

The junior doctors are demanding that the state government address a ten-point list of grievances, including the removal of Health Secretary Narayan Swarup Nigam. However, the government has shown reluctance to accept this particular demand, which complicates the negotiations.

As the strike continues, many of the protesting doctors are experiencing health issues but remain steadfast in their commitment. The senior doctors present at the meeting urged the government to take measures to manage medical services effectively and restore normalcy.

Additionally, representatives from left and ultra-left factions attempted to participate in the discussions but were reportedly denied entry. The state’s Chief Secretary, Manoj Pant, and Home Secretary, Nandini Chakraborty, were also present at the meeting, indicating the high stakes involved.

In a prior email, the Chief Secretary appealed to the Joint Platform of Doctors (JPD) to cancel a planned protest event, dubbed the "treason carnival," scheduled for Tuesday during the Puja festivities. However, the protesters have indicated their intention to proceed with the event.

Sources suggest that while some of the junior doctors' demands could be met, the call for the health secretary's removal is unlikely to be accepted, as administrative reshuffles fall solely under the state government's jurisdiction. As discussions continue, the junior doctors remain resolute, keeping their options open for further action if necessary.

The crucial meeting between representatives of twelve doctors' associations in West Bengal and Chief Secretary Manoj Pant at Swasthya Bhavan concluded without any resolution, sources reported. The state government’s reluctance to set a timeline for resolving the ongoing deadlock was a significant point of contention.

During the meeting, the absence of Health Secretary N.S. Nigam was questioned by the doctors’ representatives. They urged Pant to visit the fasting junior doctors and engage with them directly. Government sources indicated that Nigam was in New Delhi attending a Supreme Court hearing related to the RG Kar hospital issue scheduled for Tuesday.

"The meeting was unproductive. We requested that the state government send someone—preferably the highest-ranking official—to engage with the young doctors who are fasting," said Dr. Kaushik Chaki, president of the West Bengal Doctors' Forum, in a statement to PTI.

"However, the Chief Secretary indicated that he could not provide any deadlines."

Pant later told reporters that he had urged the representatives to encourage their junior colleagues to end their hunger strike immediately. "We had a detailed discussion lasting about two-and-a-half hours. Various concerns were raised, and we took note of them. Regarding the demands of the junior doctors, we discussed them thoroughly. Out of the ten demands, seven have already been addressed," he explained.

He acknowledged the remaining three demands require administrative decisions that the state needs to consider, hence no timelines could be provided at this point. "We assured them that we have noted their issues and grievances and urged them to persuade the junior doctors to withdraw their hunger strike, as we are concerned about their health and well-being," Pant added. "Let them return so we can work together toward our common goals."

The Chief Secretary was accompanied by Home Secretary Nandini Chakraborty and senior officials from the state health department during the meeting.

As the hunger strike entered its 10th day, the health conditions of two more junior doctors deteriorated, with one being hospitalized. Pulastha Acharya, a junior doctor from NRS Medical College and Hospital, was admitted on Sunday night after experiencing severe stomach pain and is currently in the CCU under medical observation.

Tanya Panja, another junior medic from Kolkata Medical College, also showed signs of health decline but remained under observation at the protest site. "Her vitals are not stable, and we are yet to decide if she needs to be hospitalized," a fellow protestor said.

The situation remains critical, as most junior medics involved in the hunger strike are struggling with their health. Currently, seven doctors are on a ‘fast-unto-death,’ including a junior medic from the North Bengal Medical College's ENT department who joined the strike on Monday afternoon. (With PTI Inputs)