Lagatar24 Desk
Kolkata: After 42 days of protests, junior doctors in West Bengal have partially resumed their duties at state-run hospitals. The doctors had been on strike, demanding justice for the rape and murder of a female doctor on duty at RG Kar Medical College and Hospital.
On Saturday morning, the junior doctors rejoined essential and emergency services at various government hospitals across the state. However, they refrained from working in the outpatient departments (OPDs), signaling that their protest is not yet fully over.
“We have started rejoining duties today. Our colleagues are returning to their respective departments but only for essential and emergency services, not in the OPDs. Please remember, this is only a partial resumption of duties,” said Aniket Mahato, one of the protesting doctors.
In a demonstration of their continued commitment to public health, many of the doctors have also traveled to flood-hit districts to set up ‘Abhaya clinics’—medical camps designed to provide healthcare to those affected by the floods.
The junior doctors have stated that they will give the state administration seven more days to address their demands. These include justice for the deceased doctor and the removal of the state health secretary, whom they accuse of mishandling the case. If their demands are not met, they have vowed to resume their ‘cease work’ protest.
The protest began on August 9, following the discovery of the woman’s body at RG Kar Medical College and Hospital. The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI), which is leading the probe into the case, has made several arrests, including the former principal of the hospital.
