West Bengal Government Meets Junior Doctors Again Amid Floods and Protests
The West Bengal government is set to meet a group of 30 junior doctors on Wednesday after the West Bengal Junior Doctors Front requested another meeting to address unresolved demands. Chief Secretary Manoj Pant mentioned that many districts in South Bengal are experiencing flood-like conditions, and Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee has been visiting these areas.
Pant stated, “I received your mail dated September 18. The Chief Minister has already announced the formation of a Task Force to address your concerns about safety and security in medical colleges and hospitals. Many districts of South Bengal are facing flood-like situations with vast areas inundated.”
He added, “While we appeal to you to join duties in the larger public interest, I along with other Task Force members will meet your delegation at Nabanna Sabhaghar today at 06:30 PM. Please reach the meeting venue by 06:15 PM.”
Following a meeting with the protesting doctors on Tuesday, the West Bengal government agreed to some of their demands, including the removal of the police chief of Kolkata and two senior health officials. The Junior Doctors Front stated, “There have been repeated attempts to politicize our cause and create divisions among us. Yesterday, in a long discussion with the Honorable Chief Minister, our five-point demands were discussed, and some were partially fulfilled.”
As a result, Dr. Kaustav Nayak and Dr. Debashis Halder were removed from their posts as Director of Medical Education and Director of Health Services, respectively. Additionally, Dr. Suparna Dutta and Dr. Swapan Soren were also removed from their positions. Nayak will now serve as the Director of the Institute of Health and Family Welfare, and Halder will be the Officer on Special Duty for Public Health in Swasthya Bhawan.
The strike began after the body of a 31-year-old doctor was found at R G Kar Medical College and Hospital on August 9, leading thousands of junior doctors in the state to protest.
Doubts Revealed
West Bengal -: West Bengal is a state in eastern India. It has a lot of people and is known for its culture, food, and festivals.
Junior Doctors -: Junior doctors are doctors who have finished their basic medical degree but are still training to become specialists.
Floods -: Floods happen when there is too much water, usually from heavy rain, and it covers the land, making it hard for people to live and travel.
Protests -: Protests are when people gather to show they are unhappy about something and want changes.
Chief Secretary -: The Chief Secretary is a top government official who helps run the state and makes important decisions.
Manoj Pant -: Manoj Pant is the name of the Chief Secretary of West Bengal.
South Bengal -: South Bengal is the southern part of the state of West Bengal.
Strike -: A strike is when workers stop working to show they are unhappy with their job conditions and want changes.
R G Kar Medical College and Hospital -: R G Kar Medical College and Hospital is a big hospital in Kolkata, the capital of West Bengal.
