West Bengal Doctors Strike and Government’s Response

• The Mamata Banerjee government held talks with protesting junior doctors on September 16, granting them demands including a call to replace the Kolkata Police Commissioner and Health Department officials.
• The doctors have been on a cease work agitation, a people’s movement with support from civil society and grassroots organizations.
• The doctors have laid siege to the Health Secretariat, despite two days of monsoon rain.
• The government should have done more to end the impasse earlier, as there is a trust deficit between the two sides.
• The former Principal of R.G. Kar Medical College and Hospital, Sandip Ghosh, has been arrested.
• The government needs to increase the safety and security of doctors and end the “threat culture” in government hospitals.
• The State government has set aside ₹100 crore to improve hospital infrastructure and will form a task force headed by the Chief Secretary with representatives of doctors to sort out issues.