West Bengal doctors resume strike, say demands not met

• West Bengal resident doctors resume their cease-work agitation on Tuesday, citing inadequate steps taken by the State government to ensure their safety in state-run hospitals.
• The West Bengal Junior Doctors’ Front (WBJDF) stated that they will continue their full strike unless clear action is taken on safety, patient services, and the politics of fear.
• The doctors resumed duties on September 21, following a ceasework strike that began on August 9, following the rape and murder of a woman doctor at R.G. Kar Medical College and Hospital in Kolkata.
• The doctors reiterated their 10 demands, including the removal of the State’s Principal Health Secretary, establishment of task forces in every medical college, increased police protection in hospitals, and immediate hiring for all staff vacancies.
• The doctors also cited instances of attacks on doctors at the Sagore Dutta Medical College and Hospital and the National Medical College and Hospital.
• Trinamool Congress leader Kunal Ghosh criticized the doctors’ decision, while Union Minister and BJP Sukanta Majumdar urged Chief Minister Mata Banerjee to resign.