West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee has called on junior doctor🔯s to end their hunger strike, urging them to withdraw their fast unto death as a means of protest.
During a pho🌳ne conversation on Saturday, she expressed her willingness to meet with the doctors on Monday to discuss their demands in the wake of the tragic rape and murder of a fellow doctor at RG Kar Medical College and Hospital.
The Chie൲f Secretary, Manoj Pant, visite𒁏d the protest site in Dharmatala alongside Home Secretary Nandini Chakraborty to address the situation and convey the government's commitment to resolving the issues raised by the junior doctors.
What Did CM Mamata Banerjee Say?
CM Banerjee🍨 on Satuℱrday stated, "Everybody has the right to protest, but it shouldn't affect healthcare services," as she urged the doctors to withdraw their strike.
"Most of your demand🐬s have been fulfilled,𓄧 give me three-four months more to meet the rest of the demands," she added.
Banerjee told the doctors she did not differ ꦇwith th𒀰eir demands, requesting them to sit for talks with her government.
"Please withdraw the agitation. Some of the demands need policy decisions. We will cooperate ⛦to the fullest extent possible but it is not acceptable that you will dictate to the g🅰overnment what should be done," she said.
So far, 𒀰six fasting doctors have been hospitalised after their 👍health condition deteriorated.
Eight doctors are currently on♎ indefinite fast in Esplanade area while demandi💃ng that the state government act constructively by October 21 to end the impasse.
One of the medics said that they would be forced to resor𒅌t to strike across the state on October 22 if their demands are not met by Monday.
Several theatre personalities also held a symbolic hunger strike on Saturday to ex💫press solidarity with the protesting doctors.
The agitating doctors planned to hold a mega rally on Sunday to press 𝓡for their demands, which include the removal of Health Secretary N S Nigam among others.
What Are The Protesting Doctors Demanding?
Their other demands include establish🦂ment of a centralised referral system for all hospitals and medical colleges in the state, implementation of a bed vacancy monitoring system, and formation of task forces to ensure essential provisions such as CCTV, on-call rooms, and washrooms at th💛eir workplaces.
Prior to ꩵtheir ongoing fast-unto-death, the junior doctors went on a cease work following the 🎃rape-murder of their fellow medic at R G Kar hospital on August 9.
They ൩ended their stir after 42 days on September 21, following assurances from the state government to look into their demands.
