Negotiations Conclude on 'Positive Note', But Junior Doctors in West Bengal Maintain Strike

Sept. 18, 2024, 8:02 p.m.

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The second round of talks between agitating junior doctors and officials of the West Bengal government failed to resolve the impasse due to the RG Kar issue on Wednesday night despite the meeting taking place on a “positive note”, following the state government’s refusal to hand over written minutes of the talks, the doctors alleged.

The stirring medics announced that they would continue with their agitation and ‘cease work’ till the government issues written directives on the safety and security measures for doctors in state-run hospitals as agreed in the talks.

Advertisement “While the talks went smoothly, the government refused to hand over signed and written minutes of the issues which were discussed. We are feeling let down and disappointed with the government’s attitude. We will send an email tomorrow detailing our demands based on which the government has assured it will issue directives. We will continue our agitation till then,” Dr Aniket Mahato, one of the agitating doctors, said.

The doctors emphasized that although the government agreed to most of their demands and acknowledged their validity, they refrained from putting these agreements in writing.

Allegations of widespread corruption within government healthcare facilities and coercive tactics used on students and trainee doctors, endangering their safety and security on campuses by certain personnel at state-run hospitals, have surfaced. These incidents have fueled demands for action against the health secretary.

The meeting between Chief Secretary Manoj Pant and a delegation of 30 junior doctors commenced at the state secretariat, Nabanna, around 7.30 pm, an hour after the time designated by the state. The meeting lasted for over two hours, according to sources.

Once again, the protesting medical personnel were accompanied by stenographers to record the minutes of the meeting. Similarly, during Monday's meeting with Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee at her Kalighat residence, the protesters had stenographers present.

“We want the issue of safety and security in hospitals to be addressed. The chief minister had announced the formation of a task force, but there is no proper clarity on it. We want the state government to accept our legitimate demands,” an agitating doctor said before leaving for the meeting venue.

In response to their plea for renewed discussions, the West Bengal government has invited the junior doctors protesting the tragic RG Kar rape-murder incident to a meeting at the state secretariat at 6:30 pm on Wednesday.

This marked the second dialogue between the medical professionals and the state government within a 48-hour period.