Junior Doctors write to CS Pant urging swift action upon agreed demands

The West Bengal Junior Doctors' Front (WBJDF) has sent a formal email to Manoj Pant, the Chief Secretary of West Bengal, reiterating the demands agreed upon in a meeting held on September 18, 2024. Despite verbal commitments made by the state representatives during the meeting, WBJDF expressed concerns over the lack of progress on key issues.

The demands, outlined in the email, focus on improving safety, disciplinary actions, and promoting democratic processes within medical colleges across the state. The demands primarily include forming a central and college-level enquiry committee to address the “threat culture” in medical institutions, organizing democratic elections for Resident Doctors’ Association and Students’ Union, and ensuring the proper functioning of various decision-making bodies within colleges.

The Junior Doctors emphasized that these actions are crucial to restoring confidence among the medical community, particularly following the recent tragic incident at RG Kar Medical College.

The WBJDF further requested the immediate implementation of transparent transfer policies for medical personnel and the establishment of college task forces as per a recent Supreme Court order.

Despite some progress, they insisted that many essential demands related to workplace security and systemic reforms remain unmet. The group stressed the importance of swift government action to prevent further unrest in the state’s medical institutions.