• By Nidhi Giri
  • Mon, 14 Oct 2024 12:01 AM (IST)
  • Source:JND

RG Kar Case: As the indefinite hunger strike by junior doctors seeking reforms at medical colleges and hospitals gained momentum on its eighth day, the West Bengal government on Sunday evening called all doctor’s organisations in the state for a meeting on Monday afternoon. Hours after the Joint Platform of Doctors, West Bengal, announced a 12-hour symbolic hunger strike and agitation across Bengal on Monday and a protest carnival in Kolkata on Tuesday, state chief secretary Manoj Pant sent e-mails to all organisations in the joint platform. “You are requested to attend the meeting with a delegation of two members from your organisation,” the e-mail said.

Chief minister Mamata Banerjee, who is also in charge of the health and home departments, earlier met the junior doctors thrice. This was the first time the government invited all doctors’ bodies, including the ones comprising senior doctors, for a meeting. The organisations did not clarify till 8 pm whether they will attend the meeting at Sasthya Bhawan, the headquarters of the health department, at 12.30 pm on Monday.

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Meanwhile, the Indian Medical Association (IMA) announced a 24-hour nationwide hunger strike on October 15 to support doctors seeking justice for the young doctor who was raped and murdered at RG Kar Medical College and Hospital in Kolkata.

"The nationwide action will be led by IMA Junior Doctors Network and Medical Students Network," the IMA said in a statement on Sunday.

"Across the country, IMA Junior Doctors' Network (JDN) will organise fasting from dawn to dusk between 6 a.m. and 6 p.m. on Tuesday. IMA JDN will coordinate with RDAs as well as support their local actions," the statement said.

"Young doctors of Kolkata are on a Fast-Unto-Death struggle for their legitimate demands. They are on their ninth day of fasting. Three of them have been hospitalised. The movement has the support of the people. IMA has appealed to West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee to accept their demands," it added.

Further, the IMA noted that its National President RV Asokan met the fasting young doctors. Its Bengal unit is actively supporting young doctors at the agitation.

"IMA Bengal has declared solidarity by fasting on Sunday in all the local branches," the statement said.

The IMA has also urged all office bearers and resident doctors in the country to join the fast. The doctors' body noted that the fasting/protest venue "should be ideally in their medical colleges or near the campuses".

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Meanwhile, the doctors posted with different private hospitals in West Bengal announced that they would go for partial cease-work for 48 hours from October 14.

The partial cease-work will start at 6 am on October 14 and continue till 6 am on October 16. Only the emergency medical services in these private hospitals will be available during this period.

(With Agency Inputs)