Kolkata Rape Murder Case: Junior Doctors To Resume Essential Services, Continue Fight For Justice

Days after West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee agreed to transfer senior police and health officials as demanded by junior doctors, the protesting doctors today announced partial end to their cease-work. While they will resume essential and emergency services in hospitals starting Saturday, they will continue to boycott Out Patient Department (OPD) services.

Key Services To Be Restored, OPD Remains Shut
The junior doctors asserted on Thursday that they, too, would boycott the sit-in protest outside the Swasthya Bhawan, headquarters of the state health department, after taking a rally to the CBI office on Friday. However, the doctors said the "struggle for justice" will remain unabated as they insist on achieving their demands.

According to protesting doctors, they attained an 'initial victory' because most of their demands were incorporated; however, this time, they felt that their fight for justice was not addressed, hence the movement continued.

Safety Measures Addressed But Concerns Remain
Junior doctors agreed to resume the essential services when the Chief Secretary issued directives regarding the safety and security of medical professionals. Some of the measures taken up by the government are the installation of CCTV cameras, the declaration of safe rooms for doctors, improvement in water supply, female police officers, special police patrols, and the panic alarm system in hospitals.

Also, a centralised referral system has been instituted to track the count of available beds in hospitals. It is hoped that this will decrease the harassment of patients and the representation of middlemen in finding beds.

Despite this, the junior doctors felt that not much was done in the matter of action about some of these demands, especially concerning the 'threat culture' getting an end in medical colleges. They also demanded that there be a democratic atmosphere within colleges and complained that the only thing so far proposed has been the grievance cell without any further discussion on the question of student elections in medical institutions.

SOP For Essential Services
Immediately before resuming duty, the junior doctors will prepare SOP for essential services at each of the medical colleges. However, they reiterated that state administration is in caretaker charge of safety of doctors. The agitators warned to take more stringent steps against the administration if they were unable to retain the safety mechanisms.

Dr. Aniket Mahato-key protest leader made it clear once again that the sit-in outside Swasthya Bhawan was for five demands, some of which have been met. He pointed out good results coming from talks with the Chief Minister, like the transfer of senior officials, but reminded how issues on safety and security are yet to be addressed.

Medical Camps In Flooded Areas
Despite their protest, the junior doctors conceded that the responsibility of being healthcare professionals still lies with them, especially in a state situation that resembles a flood. "We will set up medical camps in the flood-hit areas and help there," said Dr Mahato.

Furthermore, the junior doctors are sure and determined to take their legal battle for justice to the Supreme Court. Another protestor, Dr. Debashish Halder, said that though they would continue partial resumption of essential services partially, they will continue to draft SOPs for cooperation from the government side if demands are not fully met.

CM Mamata Banerjee sent a signal on Tuesday by making transfers of senior officials. This includes the transfer of Kolkata Commissioner of Police Vineet Kumar Goyal, Deputy Commissioner of Police (North) Abhishek Gupta, Director of Medical Education Debashish Halder, and Director of Health Services Koustav Nayek.