Protesting Junior Doctors End 17-Day Hunger Strike After Plea from Victim’s Parents
Protesting junior doctors at RG Kar Hospital in Kolkata withdrew their hunger strike following a 17-day protest after the parents of a trainee doctor, who was allegedly raped and murdered, urged them to do so. The doctors had a meeting with Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee, but felt displeased with the government officials’ body language.
The doctors’ spokesperson mentioned that despite some assurances from the state government, they were pulling back the hunger strike due to deteriorating health. They also called off a total shutdown in the health sector planned for the next day. The decision was made after a general body meeting of the doctors.
While concerns were raised, the junior doctors managed to negotiate some changes and confirmed that there would be no health strike the following day. Trinamool Congress’ Kunal Ghosh welcomed the doctors’ decision to end the strike, emphasizing the need for collaboration to improve the health system.
The protesting doctors had initially ceased work after the incident on August 9, leading to a 42-day strike. Despite assurances from the government, the hunger strike resumed on October 5 due to perceived unmet demands.
Author: Shankhyaneel Sarkar