The ongoing protests surrounding the tragic death of a female doctor at R.G. Kar Medical College in Kolkata have taken a critical turn as a third junior doctor has been hospitalized due to deteriorating health during a hunger strike. This escalating situation underscores the deep unrest and demands for justice within the medical community following the incident.
Anustup Mukherjee, a junior doctor from Medical College, Kolkata, became the latest medic to require urgent medical attention after participating in the fast-unto-death protest. Colleagues at the protest site reported his condition as “serious,” noting symptoms such as severe stomach pain and blood in his stool. Following an evaluation by a medical team, Dr. Mukherjee was transferred to Medical College, Kolkata, for treatment. He joins two other doctors, Alok Varma and Aniket Mahato, who were previously hospitalized due to the hunger strike, highlighting the physical toll of the protest.
These junior doctors initiated their fast in the Esplanade area of central Kolkata on October 5th, demanding accountability and systemic changes in the wake of the rape and murder of their colleague at R.G. Kar Medical College and Hospital. Their demands are multifaceted, reflecting broader concerns about safety and working conditions within West Bengal’s healthcare system.
Key demands of the protesting doctors include immediate justice for the deceased doctor and the removal of Health Secretary N.S. Nigam, whom they hold responsible for the current state of affairs. Furthermore, they are advocating for the establishment of a centralized referral system across all hospitals and medical colleges in the state to streamline patient care and resource allocation. Another crucial demand is the implementation of a bed vacancy monitoring system to improve hospital administration and patient admission processes. Finally, the doctors are calling for the formation of dedicated task forces to ensure essential provisions are in place at their workplaces, specifically focusing on the installation and maintenance of CCTV surveillance, functional on-call rooms, and adequate washroom facilities.
The intensifying health crisis among the protesting doctors underscores the urgency and gravity of the situation. As more medical professionals are hospitalized, the pressure mounts on the state administration to address the core issues raised by the protesting junior doctors and ensure a safe and just environment for healthcare providers in Kolkata and across West Bengal. The medical fraternity awaits a decisive response that acknowledges their concerns and ensures such a tragedy is not repeated.
