The Crossbill News Desk
An association of doctors has reached out to West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee, urging her to address the grievances of junior medics who have been protesting the alleged rape and murder of a colleague at the state-run RG Kar Hospital.
The Federation of All India Medical Association (FAIMA) issued a statement on Thursday, warning of a nationwide "complete shutdown of medical services" if any harm comes to the junior doctors, who are currently on a hunger strike in Kolkata's Esplanade area, PTI reported.
In their statement, FAIMA expressed deep concern for the deteriorating health of the junior doctors, noting that images on social media show the Chief Minister engaged in festivities while ignoring their urgent pleas.
"We are extremely concerned about the deteriorating health conditions of the junior doctors while visuals emerge on social media of you engaging in festivities, ignoring their pleas. We urge you to understand the gravity of the situation, acknowledge the importance and take immediate and decisive action to address their grievances, as time is running out," the statement said.
FAIMA reiterated its commitment to support the junior medics, stating that if any harm befalls them due to the state's inaction, it would lead to a complete shutdown of medical services across India. The organization represents Resident Doctors’ Associations nationwide and has expressed full solidarity with the junior doctors of West Bengal.
"We want to let you know that if any harm befalls these brave junior doctors due to the state’s inaction, FAIMA and RDAs (Resident Doctors Associations) across the country will have no choice but to declare a complete shutdown of medical services across India," the statement further read.
The national team of FAIMA is in communication with various national and state associations to prepare for a nationwide shutdown of elective services if any of the doctors on hunger strike are harmed, reported PTI. As of Friday, junior doctors protesting the rape and murder of their colleague at RG Kar Hospital had been on hunger strike for six days. Health officials reported that the condition of one medic hospitalized on October 11 remains "critical."
In their letter to the Chief Minister, FAIMA acknowledged that the junior doctors' demands are genuine and could be fulfilled with directives issued by her. A 10-member delegation from Resident Doctors' Associations across the country is currently present at the protest site in Kolkata, providing real-time updates to their respective bodies.
The junior doctors have called for the removal of Health Secretary NS Nigam and have outlined nine additional demands. These include establishing a centralized referral system for all hospitals and medical colleges in the state, implementing a bed vacancy monitoring system, and forming task forces to ensure essential provisions such as CCTV, on-call rooms, and washrooms at their workplaces.
They are also seeking increased police protection in hospitals, the recruitment of permanent female police personnel, and the prompt filling of vacant positions for doctors, nurses, and other healthcare workers.
The protests began following the tragic incident involving a fellow medic at RG Kar Medical College and Hospital on August 9. The junior doctors ended their previous strike after 42 days on September 21 after receiving assurances from the state government regarding their demands.
The Federation of All India Medical Association (FAIMA) issued a statement on Thursday, warning of a nationwide "complete shutdown of medical services" if any harm comes to the junior doctors, who are currently on a hunger strike in Kolkata's Esplanade area, PTI reported.
In their statement, FAIMA expressed deep concern for the deteriorating health of the junior doctors, noting that images on social media show the Chief Minister engaged in festivities while ignoring their urgent pleas.
"We are extremely concerned about the deteriorating health conditions of the junior doctors while visuals emerge on social media of you engaging in festivities, ignoring their pleas. We urge you to understand the gravity of the situation, acknowledge the importance and take immediate and decisive action to address their grievances, as time is running out," the statement said.
FAIMA reiterated its commitment to support the junior medics, stating that if any harm befalls them due to the state's inaction, it would lead to a complete shutdown of medical services across India. The organization represents Resident Doctors’ Associations nationwide and has expressed full solidarity with the junior doctors of West Bengal.
"We want to let you know that if any harm befalls these brave junior doctors due to the state’s inaction, FAIMA and RDAs (Resident Doctors Associations) across the country will have no choice but to declare a complete shutdown of medical services across India," the statement further read.
The national team of FAIMA is in communication with various national and state associations to prepare for a nationwide shutdown of elective services if any of the doctors on hunger strike are harmed, reported PTI. As of Friday, junior doctors protesting the rape and murder of their colleague at RG Kar Hospital had been on hunger strike for six days. Health officials reported that the condition of one medic hospitalized on October 11 remains "critical."
In their letter to the Chief Minister, FAIMA acknowledged that the junior doctors' demands are genuine and could be fulfilled with directives issued by her. A 10-member delegation from Resident Doctors' Associations across the country is currently present at the protest site in Kolkata, providing real-time updates to their respective bodies.
The junior doctors have called for the removal of Health Secretary NS Nigam and have outlined nine additional demands. These include establishing a centralized referral system for all hospitals and medical colleges in the state, implementing a bed vacancy monitoring system, and forming task forces to ensure essential provisions such as CCTV, on-call rooms, and washrooms at their workplaces.
They are also seeking increased police protection in hospitals, the recruitment of permanent female police personnel, and the prompt filling of vacant positions for doctors, nurses, and other healthcare workers.
The protests began following the tragic incident involving a fellow medic at RG Kar Medical College and Hospital on August 9. The junior doctors ended their previous strike after 42 days on September 21 after receiving assurances from the state government regarding their demands.
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